Newsletter: Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody and Length of Treatment, Cost of Treatment, and Mortality in A Shelter Setting
Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) remains one of the most devastating diseases shelters face—treatment is lengthy, expensive, and can still end in fatality. But a new study from the Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health (JSMCAH) brings encouraging news for shelters treating parvo. Researchers Stefanie Hornback and Emmy Ferrell at the Oregon Humane Society examined 94 cases of parvovirus and found that adding canine parvovirus monoclonal antibody (CPMA) to standard treatment protocols cut median recovery time from 6.5 days to just 3 days, and reduced average treatment costs from $1,447 to $962—a 35% cost savings.
While the CPMA-treated group also showed a lower mortality rate (6% vs. 12%), this difference was not statistically significant given the small sample size. Still, the dramatic reductions in treatment duration and cost make a compelling case for shelters evaluating this newer therapy. As the authors note, shorter treatment times also mean shorter shelter stays, with positive knock-on effects for animal welfare and shelter capacity.
Don't miss this excellent article! Read the full text in Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025) of the JSMCAH
Did you know publishing in JSMCAH is free thanks to support from the ASV? JSMCAH is a society-published, open-access, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to research that advances shelter and community animal health, welfare, and access to veterinary care, promoting evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for animals and the people who care for. Consider publishing with us!
