were of the canine parvovirus type, rather than feline panleukopenia virus (fplv). cpv2 may spread to cats easier than dogs and undergo faster rates of mutation within that species. prevention and decontamination prevention is the only way to ensure that a puppy or dog remains healthy because the disease is extremely virulent and contagious. appropriate vaccination should be performed starting at 7–8 weeks of age, with a booster given every 3–4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age. pregnant mothers should not be vaccinated as it will abort the puppies and could make the mother extremely sick. the virus is extremely hardy and has been found to survive in feces and other organic material such as soil for up to 1 year. it survives in extremely low and high temperatures. the only household disinfectant that kills the virus is bleach. the dilute bleach solution needs to be in a 1:30 ratio to disinfect and kill parvovirus. puppies are generally vaccinated in a series of doses, extending from the earliest time that the immunity derived from the mother wears off until after that passive immunity is definitely gone. older puppies (16 weeks or older) are given 3 vaccinations 3 to 4 weeks apart. the duration of immunity of vaccines for cpv2 has been tested for all major vaccine manufacturers in the united states and has been found to be at least three years after the initial puppy series and a booster 1 year later. a dog that successfully recovers from cpv2 generally remains contagious for up to three weeks, but it is possible they may remain contagious for up to six. ongoing infection risk is primarily from fecal contamination of the environment due to the virus's ability to survive many months in the environment. neighbours and family members with dogs should be notified of infected animals so that they can ensure that their dogs are vaccinated or tested for immunity. a modified live vaccine may confer protection in 3 to 5 days; the contagious individual should remain in quarantine until other animals are protected.