Parvo is highly contagious to unprotected dogs, and the virus can remain infectious in ground contaminated with fecal material for five months or more if conditions are favorable. Extremely hardy, most disinfectants cannot kill the virus, however chlorine bleach is the most effective and inexpensive agent that works, and is commonly used by veterinarians. If your dog becomes infected with parvovirus, he has about a 50-50 chance of survival. If he makes it through the first three to four days, he will usually make a rapid recovery, and be back on his feet within a week. It is vital, however, that he receives supportive therapy immediately.
Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite.
Secondary symptoms appear as severe gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and bloody diarrhea. In many cases, dehydration, shock, and death follow. The good news, however, is that if the dog recovers from the intestinal form of parvo, no long term effects have been documented. For some reason, Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers seem to succumb to parvo faster and with less chance of recovery than any other breed. But they are not alone.