Parvovirus in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

See a vet now

This is an emergency – contact your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. Parvovirus is a virus that causes severe illness in dogs.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet immediately.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Parvovirus is a virus that causes severe illness and death in dogs.^[1] It damages the lining of the guts, causing severe diarrhoea and vomiting, and attacks infection-fighting cells in the bone marrow, weakening the immune system.^[1] Parvovirus is fatal in most dogs that do not receive treatment quickly.^[1]

Signs

Severe diarrhoea that is foul-smelling, watery or bloody
Vomiting
Severely low energy
A very high or very low temperature
Pale gums
Abdominal pain
Reduced appetite

How a vet finds out

Blood tests
Faecal test

How vets treat it

Antibiotics
Fluids or a drip
Hospitalisation
Diet change
Anti-sickness medication
Medication

What the experts say

“Overview. Parvovirus is a virus that causes severe illness and death in dogs. It damages the lining of the guts, resulting in severe diarrhoea and vomiting. It also attacks infection-fighting cells within the bone marrow, which weakens the immune system.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

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Common questions

What are the signs of parvovirus in dogs?

Signs include severe foul-smelling, watery or bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, severely low energy, a very high or very low temperature, pale gums, abdominal pain and reduced appetite.^[1]

How is parvovirus diagnosed?

It can be diagnosed with a quick poo test, which gives a result in approximately 15 minutes.^[1]

How do vets treat parvovirus?

There is no cure, so dogs need very intensive care and medications to control their symptoms while their body tries to fight the infection.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages