Q: Our pit bull puppy died of parvovirus. How can we prevent parvovirus in our next puppy? A: Instead of choosing a puppy, I recommend you adopt an adult dog whose parvovirus vaccination is up to date. Vaccination is very effective at preventing parvovirus infection, nicknamed “parvo,” and all dogs deserve protection from this common, life-threatening disease. Parvovirus causes rapidly worsening bloody diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. The virus wipes out the dog’s disease-fighting white blood cells and damages the lining of the intestines, causing most untreated pups to die of overwhelming infection. The disease occurs most often in unvaccinated puppies, particularly pit bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, Labrador retrievers, and the Arctic sled dog breeds. Parvovirus is extremely contagious, and an infected dog sheds huge quantities of virus for weeks in the feces, vomitus, and saliva. The virus contaminates the yard, home, and even people’s …