Parvo, it's a disease you see in many young puppies usually under the age of one. It can typically sit in the environment for up to five months, giving it plenty of time to spread.

Veterinarian Dr. John De Biasio says parvo can spread quickly, especially in places with large amount of puppies like shelters and pet stores.

"Anywhere there's a lot of puppies that may or may not have the virus and be shedding it. There can be high quantities and they can potentially spread it on to other puppies in the area," says De Biasio.

Puppies are more likely to get parvo rather than an older dog and vaccinations are what keeps most puppies immune to the disease.

"At 8 weeks of age and on we start doing every three weeks til their about 16 weeks of age. So that would afford them maximum protection and we would re-booster at a year of age and every three years after that," says De Biasio.

"We have very strict protocols about vaccinations that the breeders have to follow for example puppies cannot arrive in our store with out a vaccination," says Petstop owner, Jennifer Cardillo.

Cardillo says parvo is the number one killer of puppies and they have strict rules when coming into their pet store.

"When customers arrive into our store we insist they must sanitize their hands and arms and before reaching in and touching our puppies," says Cardillo.

Parvo is very contagious and carrying something home to the family pet is very slim. But it’s more likely for you to come in contact with the disease and spread it to other puppies.

"It’s extremely contagious. It’s transmitted through the feces of a parvo dog. So me and you walking in a public area like a park or parking lot and coming into my store could track it in on our feet," says Cardillo.