The Recent Parvo Outbreak in St. Louis County

Canine parvovirus, commonly called parvo, is one of the most contagious and deadly diseases affecting dogs, especially puppies. The recent parvo outbreak in St. Louis County, described as the worst in local history, is a stark reminder of why vaccinating dogs against parvo should not be delayed. Our hearts break for the shelter workers and any pet parents involved. These outbreaks, which are thankfully quite rare, are tragic because they do so much damage so quickly. Having worked in vet med for years, the words “parvo outbreak” send chills down my spine.

What is Parvo?

Canine parvovirus spreads rapidly in places where dogs are in close contact, such as shelters, parks, and kennels. The virus attacks a dog’s white blood cells and gastrointestinal tract. It causes symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, severe (often bloody) diarrhea, and loss of appetite. In puppies, it can also damage the heart.

The mortality rate is high, and treatment is costly and not always successful. In the St. Louis outbreak, over a dozen dogs died and 19 had to be humanely euthanized to prevent further spread, while the shelter was forced to close for deep cleaning and quarantine. Some healthy dogs have been relocated and the shelter continues to seek help from shelters and rescues that can take other healthy dogs to protect them from the outbreak. Thankfully, there have been no new cases reported in the past three days, which is encouraging. My hope is that the swift actions they took halted the spread of the illness, saving the lives of hundreds if not thousands of St. Louis area pets.

Parvo Vaccination

The most effective way to protect dogs from parvo is to vaccinate. Puppies are particularly vulnerable to parvovirus. While they initially receive some immunity from their vaccinated mothers, this protection fades around 6 weeks of age. After this, puppies are susceptible until they complete their full vaccine series at 6, 8, and 12 weeks.

The benefits of vaccination go beyond protecting individual dogs. Vaccination reduces the overall amount of virus circulating in the community, making outbreaks less likely and protecting vulnerable dogs, including those who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons. In St. Louis, the outbreak not only caused heartbreak for shelter staff, but also strained local resources and put other dogs at risk.

Delaying Vaccines

Missing or delaying parvo vaccinations can leave puppies dangerously exposed during this critical window. Some pet owners worry about vaccine side effects. Yet, the risks of severe adverse reactions are very low compared to the devastating consequences of parvo infection. While no medical intervention is completely without risk, the consensus among veterinarians and experts is that the benefits of parvo vaccination far outweigh the risks.

The parvovirus vaccine should not be delayed because it is so dangerous for puppies. Instead, puppies should receive their first parvo vaccination as soon as your veterinarian deems it appropriate. And, all subsequent boosters should be done on time.

The Recent Parvo Outbreak in St. Louis County

The St. Louis outbreak is a sobering example of what can happen when parvo is able to spread unchecked. It underscores the importance of timely, complete vaccination for every puppy and dog. By vaccinating your pet, you’re not just protecting your dog, you’re helping to safeguard your community.

If you have a new puppy or an unvaccinated dog, talk to your veterinarian today about starting or updating their parvo vaccine series. It’s the best step you can take to keep your dog and others safe and healthy.

Keeping Your 4-Legged Kids Healthy

At 4-Legged Kids, we strive to keep pets safe and healthy in our care. For this reason, we ask that you please speak to your veterinarian about your dog’s vaccination status. Make sure they received all their core vaccines!

In addition, please keep us posted on any changes to your pets’ health. We ask that you please inform us immediately if your dog develops any illness. By informing us, you allow us to mitigate the spread of communicable illnesses, if any, and better meet your pets’ needs.

As a general rule, our dog walkers and pet sitters are careful to prevent the spread of illness by adequately managing pet waste, washing their hands, and practicing proper hygiene inside and outside your home. We are happy to take extra precautions if the need arises, but we can only do so if you inform us before your next visit.

Only the Best for St. Louis Pets

Since 1997, 4-Legged Kids, Inc. has grown into the largest in-home pet care company servicing large areas of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County. We personalize our award-winning dog walking and pet sitting services to meet your and your pets’ needs, species, age, temperament, and more! Call 636-405-0400 or email ask@4leggedkids.com to register.

If you are outside of our service area, visit Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Use their pet sitter locators to find a pro pet sitter or dog walker near you.

Existing clients, please request services here.