Effects of Deferred Puppy Intake on Incidence of Canine Parvovirus Infection and Survival: A Community Case Study

Abstract

Canine parvovirus (CPV) threatens many canine populations, particularly those in underfunded, rural shelters, as well as the supporting organizations that transfer/transport puppies from these shelters. This study investigates the impact of a deferred puppy intake protocol on CPV incidence and outcomes among puppies transferred from a rural shelter to a supporting organization in central Ohio (Gigi’s). Rather than housing surrendered puppies within their building, the rural shelter requested that community members defer the surrender of unwanted or stray puppies. Community members then maintained possession until the next scheduled Gigi’s transport, allowing puppies to be directly placed into a clean crate and loaded onto the transport vehicle. After implementation of this protocol, CPV incidence decreased from 47% (18/38) to 9% (9/103) (P < .001). Survival rates increased but this change was not statistically significant (13/18; 72% vs. 8/9; 89%, P = .17). In general, puppies developing CPV after transport were more likely to survive than those diagnosed prior to transport (3/9; 33% vs. 18/18; 100%, P < .001). More stray puppies (20/64; 31%) than owner surrendered puppies (7/77; 9%) were diagnosed with clinical CPV (P < .001). These findings support the effectiveness of deferred intake strategies on mitigating CPV transmission and early illness identification on CPV survival.