Parvo first appeared in 1978 as a highly contagious and debilitating disease. Symptoms include high fever, listlessness, vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases it leads to shock and death. Puppies that recover are often left with residual cardiac abnormalities. This spirochete attacks the dog's kidneys and liver.
Infection results from contact with the urine of infected dogs, rats and other wild animals.
The organism is frequently found in ground water pools, ditches and slow moving waterways. Symptoms can be severe and include loss of appetite, fever, jaundice and internal bleeding. The prevalence of this disease varies with geographical location. It is readily transmissible to humans. This virus causes vomiting, diarrhea, inappitance and lethargy.