So if we're seeing more here, then the regular practices probably are also. Parvovirus attacks the lining of the digestive system. It prevents dogs and puppies from being able to absorb nutrients or liquids. Dogs with the virus often have diarrhea, vomiting and become lethargic. They usually stop eating and develop a foul-smelling, liquid stool that may contain blood.
Parvovirus can pass from dog to dog through infected feces.
The virus, typically not harmful to humans, can be spread by people to animals. That's how it is spread - from a dog to a person to another dog. The virus is particularly dangerous because it can linger for six months or more in the environment. A vaccine exists for parvovirus, but the recent rise in cases may be traced back to last Christmas season when many families got puppies as family gifts but failed to get the proper vaccinations for these dogs. The Humane Society of North Pinellas has seen about 30 cases of parvovirus this year, most of them in May.