Your young pet can become infected with the virus if feces containing the Parvovirus comes in contact with the mouth. Once inside the animal, the virus divides in the intestinal tract and destroys cells that absorb nutrients. Diarrhea (often times bloody with a fetid odor), vomiting, dehydration, depression and weight loss, can result. The condition is seen most commonly in puppies 6 to 14 weeks of age.

Parvovirus is serious: the death rate is as high as 20%, even in puppies who recieve immediate veterinary attention, which can be very costly. But veterinarians can detect Parvovirus - even before the symptoms appear - using a labratory test.

If you are adopting a puppy from L.A. Animal Services, the veterinary staff can test the animal for a fee of $15 and provide results in 15 minutes. The test results can help you make a better-informed decision about adoption. Anegative result indicates the virus is not likely present; a positive result indicates the animal is infected. (If you adopt a puppy that tests positive, immediately take it to a private veterinarian for follow-up testing and treatment.)

If your pet is healthy, you can help protect it from Parvovirus in two ways.

First, have your veterinarian vaccinate your young puppy starting at 6-8 weeks of age, and administer boosters every 2-3 weeks until the puppy is 4-6 months of age (depending on the veterinarian's reccomendation).

Second, limit the risk of exposure. A vaccination doesn't provide. 100% protection against the virus. Factors such as maternal antibody status, exposure to infected animals, and exposure in parks where infected animals may have defecated, are risks. Until they have completed their vaccine schedules, keep young puppies away from parks or other areas where dogs play defecate. This reduces a puppy's exposure and increases its chances of healthy puppyhood!