PARVOVIRAL ENTERITIS BETTER UNDERSTANDING FOR BETTER ACTION

Admission (Immediate Triage)

• Quickly identify any animal presenting with vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy
• Ask about vaccination status
• Minimize waiting room time
• Direct the animal immediately to a dedicated area

Diagnosis: A Key Tool

• Test rapidly whenever parvovirus is suspected
• Interpret results in context (age, vaccination status, clinical signs)
• Confirm if necessary with molecular testing
•  Use the result to initiate or discontinue isolation

Patient Isolation

• Place the patient in a dedicated isolation area
• Avoid any contact with other animals
• Use strictly dedicated equipment (food bowls, thermometers, litter boxes, etc.)
• Display clear “ISOLATION” signage

Team Protection

• Wear PPE: gloves and gowns (with shoe covers if necessary)
• Wash/disinfect hands before and after handling
• Limit the number of staff involved
• Follow a directional workflow: healthy animals > suspected animals > infected animals

Care and Procedures

• Perform care procedures last during rounds
• Limit patient movement
• Use disposable equipment whenever possible
• Group procedures to reduce entries and exits

Cleaning and Disinfection

• Clean first, then disinfect using an effective parvocidal disinfectant (3% sodium hypochlorite bleach solution or 2% formaldehyde)
• Respect the disinfectant contact time
• Disinfect all surfaces (floors, cages, handles, equipment, etc.)
• Dispose of heavily contaminated porous materials when necessary

Management of Equipment and Traffic Flow

• Separate waste and laundry circuits
• Dedicated laundry process for isolation cases
• Disinfect transit areas
• Pay attention to fomites (shoes, clothing, hands, etc.)

After Hospitalization (Often Underestimated)

• Maintain isolation throughout the entire clinical phase
• Inform owners that the animal may remain contagious after recovery
• Advise on hygiene measures at home
• Adapt management of follow-up visits and rehospitalizations