30/05/2025
Top 5 Reasons Why Parvo Is Still Winning in the Philippines
And What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know Before Itâs Too Late
Despite all the medical advances, despite the availability of vaccines, and despite countless awareness campaigns⊠parvovirus is still winning in the Philippines.
Every week, veterinary clinics all over the country admit puppiesâlethargic, vomiting, not eating, bloody stool. The heartbreaking truth? Many of these deaths are preventable.
Letâs talk about why parvo continues to thrive in our communitiesâso we can finally stop it.
đŠ 1. Vaccination Delay or Skip
Many pet owners still believe, âSaka na muna ang bakuna, bata pa.â
But parvo strikes hardest in young puppiesâespecially between 6 to 16 weeks old. This is exactly the age they need protection the most.
Whatâs worse? Some skip vaccination entirely, thinking vitamins or âmalakas naman siyaâ is enough.
đ„ Truth bomb:
No vaccine = no defense.
Without the full set of core vaccines, your puppy is a target.
đ 2. âBackyard Breedersâ and Unregulated Selling
Puppies are being sold online, in markets, or by casual breeders who have zero vet supervision and no vaccine records.
They hand over cute 5-week-old puppies with a ribbonâbut no medical history.
By the time the buyer notices somethingâs wrong, itâs already too late.
đ„ Reminder:
Buying from unregistered breeders fuels the cycle.
Adopt responsibly. Ask for legit vet cards with vaccine dates.
đ§Ș 3. âSelf-Medicationâ Culture
The minute their pet starts to vomit or lose appetite, some owners run to the botikaânot the vet.
They give antibiotics, human meds, or ârescueâ solutions passed down from a neighbor.
By the time the dog is brought to the clinic, itâs severely dehydrated, weak, and bleeding.
And now, what couldâve been treated early becomes a life-or-death struggle.
đ„ Bottom line:
Parvo is a virus. It doesnât respond to antibiotics.
Only proper vet care can give your puppy a fighting chance.
đ§č 4. Poor Sanitation and High Exposure
Parvo thrives in the environment. It can live in soil, tiles, shoes, and kennels for months.
Even if your puppy doesnât go outside, you can unknowingly bring the virus homeâon your shoes, your hands, or the paws of another dog.
đ„ Prevention tips:
Disinfect frequently using bleach-based solutions.
Donât allow contact with unvaccinated dogs.
Isolate new puppies until cleared by a vet.
đ 5. Waiting Too Long Before Going to the Vet
This is the hardest truth.
Some pet owners wait too longâthinking itâs just a mild stomach upset.
Some are afraid of the cost.
Some say, âObserve ko muna, baka lumakas din.â
But in parvo cases, every hour matters.
The earlier the treatment, the higher the survival rate.
Delays cost lives.
đ„ What to watch for:
Lethargy
No appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhea (especially with blood)
Fever
If you see these signs, donât wait.
đ©ș Parvo Is Still WinningâBut It Doesnât Have To
As veterinarians, we are tired of seeing puppies die that couldâve been saved.
Tired of explaining to crying pet owners that the vaccine couldâve changed everything.
Tired of losing innocent lives to a virus we already know how to prevent.
So please, letâs work together:
â
Vaccinate on time
â
Buy from reputable sources
â
Stop self-medicating
â
Clean thoroughly
â
Seek vet care early
Because parvo doesnât need to keep winning.
But if we stay silent, careless, or uninformedâit will.
Protect your puppy. Protect your family.
Letâs stop parvo from stealing more lives.
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