The word parvo causes fear to all dog owners. Canine parvovirus is highly infectious and can spread through direct or indirect contact with an infected dog.
When a dog with the disease gets into your yard, the virus can spread and infect your pet when it comes near the area. So, can you test your yard for parvo? Yes, you can use various techniques to test parvo in your yard.
The signs and symptoms of parvo involve loss of appetite, diarrhea, severe vomiting, and fever. However, when a dog has these symptoms, it can be challenging to tell whether it has parvo or other diseases.
That’s why many homeowners are concerned whether they can test their yard for parvo to be sure about the method of treatment to use.
Contents
- How Can You Test Your Yard For Parvo? 4 Methods
- Here are 4 methods of testing your yard for parvo
- 1. Elisa antigen tests
- 2. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- 3. Complete blood count (CBC)
- 4. VETSCAN Parvo Rapid Test
- FAQs about Eliminating Parvovirus in the Yard
- How can I kill parvo in the grass?
- Which is the best method for preventing parvovirus from spreading?
- How long does parvo last in a yard?
- Can alcohol kill parvovirus?
- Author
How Can You Test Your Yard For Parvo? 4 Methods
Here are 4 methods of testing your yard for parvo
1. Elisa antigen tests
Fecal Elisa test is the most convenient method of testing canine parvovirus in your yard.
This test involves an enzyme and immunological molecules that form an antibody-antigen reaction to give a positive result. But if they do not react, it indicates a negative effect.
Elisa test can be your option if you want to get accurate and quick results. You can perform this examination on any dog displaying signs related to parvovirus infection.
It is good to note that a recent vaccination can give false positive Elisa results. That’s why it is good to ensure that you look for a professional vet to perform the test.
2. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
PCR is another reliable test of parvovirus when clinical signs are present.
This technique involves a fecal test to detect viral DNA present in the stool of the affected pet. This test is more accurate than other techniques but requires more time to give results.
Your vet will have to send the fecal samples to the laboratory specializing in PCR-based testing. With this, you might spend weeks before receiving results.
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3. Complete blood count (CBC)
Your vet can perform CBC in-house to measure several components in the dog’s blood. When the cell count is low, chances are, your dog might be having parvovirus.
4. VETSCAN Parvo Rapid Test
VETSCAN Parvo Rapid Test is a user-friendly device that will help to detect the virus in the canine feces.
It scans the results and gives accurate effects. The biggest benefit of VETSCAN Parvo Rapid is that you can perform the test by yourself. It involves three simple steps to prevent re-test and minimize human errors.
As you are aware, canine parvovirus can infect any dog breed. Also, you can find this virus in any environment. But not every dog that comes into contact with it will get infected.
For instance, if your dog has a low immune system, it is likely to get infected. Also, if your pet is not vaccinated, the chances of contracting the virus are high.
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FAQs about Eliminating Parvovirus in the Yard
How can I kill parvo in the grass?
Parvo is hard to kill, especially on the grass, plants, or the soil.
This is because products that can kill parvo can destroy the soil and plants.
While soaking or watering the grass can dilute the virus, there will still be traces of the virus left behind.
Since there is no particular parvo yard treatment, a good way to treat the canine parvovirus involves offering supportive care to your dog.
This involves giving antibiotics to combat bacterial infections, pain, and control of vomiting.
Besides, it is good to clean the dog’s waste from the yard.
If you leave the stool of an infected dog on the grass, it can lead to contamination risk of other dogs.
Which is the best method for preventing parvovirus from spreading?
Parvovirus can survive for many months outside the animal’s body.
It is resistant to harsh weather conditions and many household products.
If an infected dog enters your yard, it can shed a large number of viruses, making it challenging to disinfect the area.
But you can prevent the parvovirus from spreading through methods such as:
How long does parvo last in a yard?
Parvo can last for up to 2 years in an indoor environment and survive in outdoor conditions for six to one year, especially in moist and dark conditions.
Also, it can survive very low and extreme temperatures.
Thus, if your dog has parvovirus, you need to understand what to do to reduce the risk of exposing others. While you cannot eliminate the parvovirus completely from your yard, it is good to follow practices that will prevent it from spreading quickly.
Sanitizing should be the first step if you notice the parvovirus in your yard. The process involves cleaning and disinfecting.
It is good to clean the surfaces before disinfecting since many disinfectants do not perform well on organic matter.
Can alcohol kill parvovirus?
No, parvovirus is resistant to alcohol. A good way of killing parvo is by using a disinfectant such as bleach.
However, bleach might not be effective on soil and grass since it can cause damage. But if your backyard has a concrete slab, you can use bleach effectively.
Since it is challenging to kill parvo in your yard completely, vets recommend preventive measures such as:
Parvovirus can affect the health of any dog breed. This makes many homeowners have fear of this virus getting into their yards. They, therefore, ask questions such as, can you test your yard for parvo?
Yes, you can test the presence of parvo in your yard through various methods. But the best technique will depend on resources and time available.
Some methods are costly, and others require you to take samples to the lab, which can consume a lot of time. In this case, it is good to choose an easy-to-use method that will not consume a lot of your time.
