parvovirus

noun

par·​vo·​vi·​rus ˈpär-vō-ˌvī-rəs 

1

: any of a family (Parvoviridae) of single-stranded DNA viruses that include the causative agents of fifth disease in humans, panleukopenia in cats, and parvovirus in dogs

2

: a highly contagious febrile virus disease of dogs that is spread especially by contact with infected feces, that is caused by a strain (Canine parvovirus) of the parvovirus causing panleukopenia in cats, and that is marked by loss of appetite, lethargy, often bloody diarrhea and vomiting, and sometimes death

Examples of parvovirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Per the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), symptoms of parvovirus can include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, severe and often bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating, and fever or low body temperature (hypothermia). —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025

Raccoons can transmit diseases like rabies, distemper and parvovirus to other animals and humans. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2025

In 2014, scientists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, UC Santa Cruz, Cornell University and other institutions published a paper suggesting that a type of virus distantly related to parvovirus, the cause of feline distemper in cats and canine parvovirus in dogs, might be behind the die-off. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025

Last summer, Alyssa Blackwell Hammond, 36, fostered a litter of puppies who got sick with canine parvovirus and almost died. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin parvus small (akin to Greek pauros small, paid-, pais child) + New Latin -o- + virus — more at few

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for parvovirus

• antivirus
• herpesvirus
• reovirus
• retrovirus
• rhinovirus
• rotavirus
• adenovirus
• baculovirus
• coronavirus
• enterovirus
• poliovirus
• cytomegalovirus

Medical Definition

parvovirus

noun

par·​vo·​vi·​rus ˈpär-vō-ˌvī-rəs 

1

a

capitalized : a genus of single-stranded DNA viruses of the family Parvoviridae that includes the causative agents of panleukopenia in cats and fifth disease in humans

b

: any virus of the family Parvoviridae and especially of the genus Parvovirus

2

: a highly contagious febrile disease of canines and especially dogs that is caused by a virus of the genus Parvovirus (species Canine parvovirus), is spread especially by contact with infected feces, and is marked by loss of appetite, lethargy, often bloody diarrhea and vomiting, and sometimes death

called also canine parvovirus, parvo