A survey of stored, frozen sera from 1976 to 1978 failed to detect parvo virus antibody, which suggests that this virus was new. The virus is highly infective and survives in fecal matter for months. The feces change from light grey to mucoid to bloody to frank hemorrhage. The diarrhea may be projectile and explosive which leads to dehydration and death from shock in 24-48 hours. When infected in utero, CPV may cause myocarditis and acute congestive heart failure in 4-12 week old puppies.
Treatment is symptomatic.
A vaccine is available, but because the virus rapidly mutates, it fails to protect dogs all of the time.