Could my puppy have parvo?

By Dr. Steve Pelton, DVM

The short answer

If he isn't done with his shots and has vomiting or diarrhea plus he's tired, flat or not eating, go now and call on the way. Say the word parvo on the phone, so the clinic can bring him in a separate way. Parvo often starts quietly, with a tired puppy who won't eat, and the diarrhea isn't always bloody.

Why it happens

Parvo is a tough virus that attacks a puppy's gut lining and the white blood cells that fight infection. It hits hardest between 6 weeks and 6 months, mostly in puppies who haven't finished their shots, and it lives for months on the ground and rides in on shoes and paws.

Which door?

WATCH means usually normal, keep an eye on him. CALL TODAY means call your vet today. GO NOW means head to your vet or an emergency clinic now.

GO NOWNot done with shots, with vomiting or diarrhea plus tired, flat or not eating.
CALL TODAYBloody diarrhea in a puppy who's still acting normal: call right away.

When to call

Tick what fits and see which door you're at.

CALL TODAYBloody diarrhea in a puppy who's still acting normal: call right away, don't wait overnight
GO NOWNot done with shots, and vomiting or diarrhea plus tired, flat, weak or not eating
GO NOWVomiting over and over, or he can't keep water down
GO NOWAny blood in the poop plus vomiting or tiredness
GO NOWA toy-breed puppy who's weak, wobbly, trembling or "out of it"

Your door: WATCHWATCH

Nothing ticked and he's bright, playful, eating and drinking? Keep an eye on him, jot down what you see, and call in the daytime if it doesn't settle.

What helps

Signs usually start 5 to 7 days after exposure, anywhere from 2 to 14, so the two weeks after a risky outing are the ones to watch
Bag a fresh poop sample if you can. A quick test at the clinic checks for parvo
Ask your vet which disinfectant to use. Many household cleaners don't kill parvo

Toy breed? A tiny puppy who's vomiting or not eating can't keep his fuel up. Call today, and go now if he's quiet or wobbly. Toy-breed puppies and low blood sugar

Under 16 weeks, a toy breed, or not done with his shots? Then warning signs count for more: a WATCH sign moves up to CALL TODAY, and a CALL TODAY sign means call now, not tomorrow. Normal puppy stuff is still normal.

GO NOW means: Head to your vet, if they're open and can see him right away, or to the nearest emergency clinic. Call on the way so they're ready for you.

Not sure which door you're at? That's a call. Call your vet.

Worried right now? Walk through the Three Doors check and land on one door.

Is this an emergency?

General education, not veterinary advice. Your vet's plan for your puppy comes first.