Single-dose parvo treatment gets USDA approval

Dogs infected with canine parvovirus (CPV) will soon have access to a single, intravenous dose treatment for the potentially deadly virus.

Elanco Animal Health, Inc., has received a conditional license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its injectable Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody solution. The treatment, which represents a therapeutic alternative to traditional, intensive supportive therapy options, can be administered to CPV-infected dogs eight weeks of age or older, regardless of vaccination status.

“[This] announcement is a game changer for pet owners and veterinarians,” says Kristin Zersen, DVM, DACVECC, assistant professor of small animal emergency and critical care at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. “Parvovirus is an unpredictable disease that causes significant strain on pet owners and is labor intensive and stressful for shelters and veterinary clinic staff.”

CPV is among the most contagious and deadly viruses a dog can contract, with a 91 percent mortality rate if not treated with supportive care, Elanco reports. The newly approved treatment may provide a less intensive and more effective solution than supportive care alone by targeting the virus with single-dose efficacy and a strong safety profile in healthy dogs.

“It’s lifechanging and industry-defining to be able to offer a proven solution to canine parvovirus that limits the need for hospitalization, reducing the impact this disease has on hundreds of thousands of dogs each year,” Dr. Zersen says.

“Elanco is proud to bring to market this first-in-class treatment that will help save puppies’ lives, while alleviating the emotional and financial burden of both pet owners and veterinary care teams,” adds Elanco’s president and CEO, Jeff Simmons.

The Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody is expected to begin shipping in the coming weeks, pending individual state approvals.

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