Parvovirus, often shortened to parvo, is a highly contagious virus that can be deadly for dogs. The parvovirus attacks a dog’s gastrointestinal system, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Puppies under 6 months old are especially susceptible as they have undeveloped immune systems. Parvo is extremely contagious and can live in the environment for months or even years. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the home environment is crucial to prevent spread of parvo to other dogs.
How is parvo transmitted?
Parvo is shed in a dog’s feces and transmitted when dogs come into contact with infected feces or contaminated environments. The parvovirus is very hardy and can survive on surfaces, grass, soil, food bowls, shoes, clothes, toys, etc. Any unvaccinated dog that sniffs, licks, or ingests infected feces or walks where an infected dog has been can contract parvo.
Even after visible signs of illness are gone, dogs continue to shed virus in their feces for up to 3 weeks post-infection. Parvo can also be carried on the fur and feet of infected dogs. The virus can be tracked into the house and infect any puppies or unvaccinated dogs. Thorough cleaning is required even after infected dogs recover.
What supplies do you need to disinfect for parvo?
Disinfecting a home or area contaminated with parvo requires strong, specialized products proven capable of killing parvovirus. Recommended supplies include:
- Bleach – For best results, use bleach containing 5.25%–8.25% sodium hypochlorite. Check the product label.
- Enzymatic cleaner – Used to break down organic matter like feces that can inactivate disinfectants.
- Scrub brushes – For scrubbing surfaces and cleaning crevices.
- Gloves – Household rubber gloves to protect your hands.
- Eye protection – Safety glasses in case bleach splashes.
- Face mask – To avoid inhaling fumes.
- Mops, buckets, paper towels, garbage bags – For cleaning and disposal.
- Pressure washer (optional) – Helpful for cleaning patios, decks, sidewalks, etc.
How should you prepare for disinfection?
Before disinfecting, you need to thoroughly clean the area to remove all visible soil and organic matter where parvo could be lurking. Take the following preparation steps:
- Remove any items that can be washed and disinfected separately – toys, bedding, bowls, collars, leashes, etc. Wash with detergent and hot water, rinse, and immerse in bleach solution.
- Clean up all dog feces from yard – Dispose of feces in sealed plastic bags.
- Clean dirt, mud, and organic debris – Use a hose, broom, shovel, or pressure washer outside. Sweep and mop hard floors. Vacuum and shampoo carpets and upholstery.
- Empty vacuum – Discard vacuum contents in sealed plastic bags immediately after use.
- Wash surfaces with soap – Use all-purpose cleaner or enzymatic cleaner and scrub with a brush.
- Rinse surfaces thoroughly – Remove all soap residue which can inactivate disinfectants.
- Dispose of cleaning materials – Place cloths, mopheads, sponges, and rags in sealed bags for disposal.
Thorough cleaning must precede disinfection so chemicals can reach and kill all virus particles.
Step-by-step guide to disinfecting for parvo
Follow these systematic steps to thoroughly disinfect a property contaminated by parvo:
- Outdoor areas – Scrub and spray down with bleach solution patios, decks, sidewalks, driveways, and other hard surfaces where dogs walked or played. For gravel or soil, remove visibly contaminated sections or douse with bleach. Let the bleach solution soak for 10 minutes before rinsing.
- Entryways and mud room – Scrub and mop floors, wipe down walls and baseboards, disinfect boot trays, door handles, and any dog items (leashes, beds, bowls, etc.).
- Common rooms and hallways – Vacuum and steam clean carpets, rugs, and upholstery. Mop hard floors. Wipe down baseboards, doors, cabinet handles, and any other high-touch surfaces dogs could reach up to adult head height.
- Washable surfaces – For vinyl, ceramic tile, sealed concrete, and other washable surfaces, apply liberal amount of bleach solution and let soak 10 minutes. Scrub any stains and rinse thoroughly. Wipe down walls to adult dog height.
- Porous surfaces – For unfinished wood, concrete, soil, gravel, or other porous areas, saturate with bleach solution. Let soak for 20 minutes then rinse. Repeat disinfection daily for these difficult to disinfect areas.
- Non-washable surfaces – For drywall, wallpaper, fabrics, and other surfaces that could be damaged by liquids, use damascus spray on all surfaces dogs could reach. Avoid over-wetting.
- Dog areas – Disinfect crates, gates, food bowls, and toys. Throw away bedding, mats, or any fabrics that cannot be disinfected. Disinfect dogs’ regular sleeping and resting areas.
- HVAC & vents – Change filters and disinfect vents to prevent recirculation of contagions. Bleach can corrode metal vents so use a parvocidal disinfectant spray formulated for HVAC systems.
Repeat the disinfection process daily for at least 2 weeks. Parvo can persist in carpet fibers, cracks and crevices, soil, gravel, and other porous materials even after thorough cleaning. Continue disinfecting until any infected dogs or puppies have fully recovered.
What bleach solutions should you use to kill parvo?
Bleach is the most affordable and effective disinfectant for parvo. Aim for a bleach solution of around 1:30 which equates to:
- 1 3⁄4 cups bleach per gallon of water
- 4 tablespoons bleach per quart of water
- 1 tablespoon bleach per pint of water
The standard concentration to kill parvo is:
- 5,000 ppm bleach solution for porous surfaces – 1 part bleach to 24 parts water (1:24 ratio)
- 1,000 ppm for non-porous surfaces – 1 part bleach to 149 parts water (1:149 ratio)
Make bleach solutions fresh daily since bleach begins degrading upon mixing with water. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners due to hazardous chemical reactions.
How long does parvo live without a host?
In optimal conditions, parvo can survive without a host for many months or years:
- On surfaces – 5-7 months
- In soil – 5-7 years
- On clothing and shoes – Minimum of 5 months
Warmer weather helps shorten parvo’s environmental lifespan while colder conditions prolong it. Disinfection is still required long after infected dogs have recovered.
Can parvo be brought into a house on shoes and clothes?
Yes, parvo can easily hitchhike into the house on shoes, clothes, and other objects that come into contact with contaminated soil or feces. Take the following precautions:
- Leave shoes worn outside at the door or entryway.
- Wash clothes worn while cleaning up after infected dogs separate from other laundry.
- Bath humans who contacted infected dogs or environments before contacting healthy dogs.
- Disinfect any equipment, tools, or objects taken into infected environments.
- Quarantine any new dogs or puppies for 2 weeks to prevent introducing parvo.
Even diligent owners can unknowingly track parvo into the house. Be vigilant about disinfection and limiting contact between new dogs and the contaminated environment during an outbreak.
Should you replace gravel or soil to get rid of parvo?
Parvo can survive for years in soil and gravel. However, removal is not always practical or necessary. Instead, treat contaminated areas as follows:
- Spread out gravel or soil and saturate with bleach solution. Let soak 20+ minutes before rinsing.
- Repeat disinfection of gravel or bare soil areas daily for at least 2 weeks.
- Plant grass over bare soil since parvo survives shorter in living grass than dirt.
- Replace gravel or soil if cases reappear after disinfection. Dig or dump contaminated material at least 3 feet deep to prevent spread.
With diligent disinfection, most gravel and soil can be sanitized without replacement. Removal may be easier for small yards than large rural properties or parks.
Can parvo infect people?
No, parvovirus cannot infect people – only dogs (and some wild canids). However, humans can inadvertently carry parvo on clothing, shoes, hands, and tools and transfer it to dogs. Thoroughly clean anything that entered contaminated environments to prevent disease spread. Wash hands after contact with infected dogs or cleaning areas.
How long after cleaning is parvo no longer contagious?
Parvo can resurface weeks to months after cleaning if disinfection was not thorough enough. Continue daily disinfection for at least 2 weeks after infected dogs show no symptoms. Test surface swabs using PCR to confirm the area is parvo-free. Keep any surviving dogs or new puppies away from possibly contaminated areas for at least 2-4 weeks to be safe. Only resume normal activity once follow-up testing confirms the virus has been eliminated.
Can parvo infect cats?
Cats can be infected by a different strain of parvovirus called feline parvovirus or panleukopenia. Feline parvo strains cannot cross between cats and dogs. However, the canine parvovirus could possibly infect wild felids like bobcats. Keep pet cats separate from premises contaminated with canine parvo.
Should you hire a professional service to disinfect for parvo?
Professional disinfection services can be helpful for severe parvo contamination. A professional company has industrial-strength tools and disinfectants better equipped to sanitize porous or untreated outdoor surfaces. Professionals can also check for parvo survivors using PCR testing. However, owners can achieve similar results with diligence and proper technique. In either case, thorough cleaning and rigorous disinfection is required to eradicate parvo from a property.
Conclusion
Parvo is a challenging virus to eliminate from the home and yard. The key is rigorous sanitation – including bleach solutions, enzymatic cleaners, and repeated disinfection of all surfaces over 2+ weeks. Remove or isolate anything that cannot be disinfected. Wash and isolate humans after contact with infection until the environment tests parvo-free. With diligent, systematic cleaning and disinfection, parvo can usually be eradicated without removing gravel, soil, plants, or replacing lawns. Consult your vet if cases reappear after thorough cleaning. With persistence and care, you can protect your furry companions from this devastating disease.