If you have any questions

Parvo Quarantine

If you have any questions at all, please contact the foster department directly. Other KHS phone numbers, emails, or departments are unable to help with any foster concerns.

Contacting other departments will delay you getting answers and delay your animal getting care.

Our contact info can be found at the bottom of every page on this site and in our signature in every email you receive.

Thank you so much for your cooperation with this important policy.

What is parvo?

Canine Parvovirus, or parvo for short, is a highly contagious virus. This virus attacks the white blood cells in a canine's intestinal tract. If left untreated, the mortality rate is extremely high (roughly 91%). It most often affects puppies 6-20 weeks old, but can affect older animals as well. Parvovirus can not be spread to humans, cats, or other small creatures. Only canines can contract the virus.

Dogs and puppies can get parvo in 3 different ways; direct contact with infected animals, direct contact with the fecal matter of an infected animal, or contaminated items or surfaces. These include the sidewalk, grass, toys, bowls, blankets, kennels, or people who have come into contact with an infected animal.

The best ways to prevent parvo are to ensure all puppies/dogs are properly vaccinated and follow the proper cleaning protocols. Many of the puppies that come into the shelter are not vaccinated or under vaccinated, putting them at a much higher risk of contracting parvo. All positive or exposed puppies must be COMPLETELY separate from other dogs or puppies to limit the risk of exposure.

Symptoms

Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Vomiting

Severe, often bloody, diarrhea
Abdominal pain and bloating
Fever or low body temperature (hypothermia)

Protecting Your Pets

While on quarantine, your puppy must only go in areas that there are no other dogs, and there is no risk of another dog coming into that area. We suggest keeping puppies completely indoors in a small, easily cleaned area. Even if the puppy is in a fenced in yard, the rain can possibly wash fecal matter into an area where other dogs can come in contact with the virus.

Adult dogs who are fully vaccinated are at a lower risk of contracting parvo, but there is still a risk. Because of this, puppies on quarantine CANNOT come in contact with other dogs at any point during their quarantine period.

End of Quarantine

The foster team will let you know what date your puppy will be released from quarantine. At the end of quarantine, the puppy will need a bath. Puppies under 8 weeks will stay in foster until they are old enough for surgery. Puppies that are over 8 weeks will be able to return to the shelter for spay/neuter surgery and adoption.

Showing Signs and Parvo Positive Puppies

If your puppy shows any symptoms, let the foster and vet team know immediately. You will be instructed on what to do next. You will likely either bring them to our Main Campus for testing, or be sent to an emergency veterinary hospital. Fecal testing will confirm the diagnosis.

During normal business hours, you can reach out to the foster team directly.

Email: foster@kyhumane.org

Text: (502) 208-9155

Call: (502) 366-3355 ext. 4007

If it is after hours, please call the emergency line. Leave a voicemail, and the on-call person will listen and call back with instructions.

E-line: (502) 515-3135

If your puppy needs to come back to Main Campus for any reason during their quarantine period, you MUST contact a member of the foster or vet team beforehand. When you arrive, stay in your care and wait for instructions.

There is no medication for treating parvo. Supportive care is provided to correct dehydration and physiological imbalances caused by vomiting and diarrhea, control nausea and pain, keep the dog warm, prevent other infections from happening, and provide nutritional support. Your puppy will stay with us for treatment if they test positive.

We will send you with the cleaner we use at the shelter for all hard surfaces in your house. Any soft items like blankets, toys, and towels should be thrown away.

You will not be able to foster puppies for 6 months after the positive exposure. However, after a thorough clean, you may be able to foster fully vaccinated adults dogs.

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