Parvovirus, or parvo, is an infectious viral disease specific to canines. Viral particles are shed from infected dogs via feces and picked up by other dogs through oral or nasal contact. According to the "Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians," the parvovirus is most commonly seen in puppies up to six months of age whose immune systems are not yet fully developed. Even so, adult dogs can carry this disease and not show any symptoms. With this highly infectious disease, clean-up procedures are difficult and rigorous after your dog has contracted parvo.
Things You'll Need
- Shovel or scooper
- Seal-able container
- Trash bags
- Hose
- Bleach
- Viral disinfectant
Instructions
Pick up all visible dog droppings. Use a shovel or plastic scooper made of a solid material that can be disinfected later. A single piece of fecal matter can harbor millions of viral cells.
Train your dog to eliminate in one area of the yard. This helps stop the spread of parvovirus particles to the rest of the yard and allows you to pick up feces immediately after they are dropped. The best way to train the dog to use one area of the yard is to keep him on a lead, walk him to that area of the yard, wait for him to eliminate and then praise him and possibly give him a treat. If he tries to go to another part of the yard, give him a sharp "No" and bring him back to the part of the yard where you want him to go.
Dispose of any fecal matter in a sealed container such as a plastic bag. Spray the inside of the sealed container with a 1:32 dilution of bleach. Place the sealed container into a trash bag before disposing of the entire thing in your garbage.
Hose down your yard thoroughly with water. While this doesn't eliminate parvovirus materials, it creates an even spread of the virus particles, allowing for easier treatment.
Use a chemical disinfectant specifically stated to kill parvovirus material in the environment. Spray the yard down with the disinfectant mixture. Also use it in kennel areas, in bedding, to wash out food bowls and clean toys. A 1:32 dilution of bleach, Pfizer Animal Health's Roccal D-Plus, Vetoquinol's Trifectant or DuPont's Virkon-S are all known to kill parvovirus particulates.
Wait six months to a year before bringing any new dogs into your yard. Different sources state different time periods of quarantine for different environmental conditions, ranging up to two years for areas of a yard that are routinely shaded and damp. Speak to a veterinarian about how long you should wait before allowing other dogs access to your yard.