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How to Prevent Your New Puppy From Getting Parvo

Prevention is key to a healthy, happy pup.

By Erin Patterson, RVTPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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So you’ve brought home your new puppy and have purchased all the usual necessities like food, toys, and bedding, but are you prepared to keep him safe from parvo? Unfortunately, every summer veterinary hospitals get hit hard with a huge onslaught of ill puppies with parvovirus, and it is anything but fun. Without intensive hospitalization and treatment, (often even with) these puppies are doomed to die within several days after the onset of symptoms. And it’s always the cute ones; though I suppose I have never met an ugly puppy.

The good news is that parvovirus is almost completely preventable and knowledge of the virus and of its prevention is the strongest defense a new dog parent has to protect their precious fur baby. Canine parvovirus is an extremely contagious disease that is spread through fecal-oral contact and attacks rapidly dividing cells of the host, which are most commonly unvaccinated puppies under one year of age. Infected puppies first develop lethargy and anorexia, and then severe vomiting and diarrhea until eventually, the animal succumbs to dehydration and starvation. Even animals that survive will still continue to shed the virus in their feces for several weeks after recovery, potentially infecting others. What makes the virus so scary, is that it can survive in the environment for many years and is almost impossible to kill without the use of bleach.

Prevention all starts with obtaining your new puppy from a reputable shelter or breeder. Many times a puppy will arrive to its new owner already sick and starts showing symptoms after just a few days. Make sure you visit the place where your puppy is coming from and be wary of those that don’t allow tours. Facilities should be clean and with good vaccine and disease-prevention protocols in place. The other dogs on the premises, especially the parents and littermates, should appear happy and healthy.

Secondly, it is important to establish and maintain a good relationship with a veterinarian whom will provide all necessary vaccines to prevent parvo and other diseases. If money is of concern, vaccine clinics are also available, but please never opt to not vaccinate your puppy because of cost. Trust me, 2 or 3 vaccines at $20 apiece is way more affordable than $3000 in hospitalization expenses! At your first visit, your veterinarian will examine your puppy and develop a vaccine schedule to fit its individual needs. As a general rule of thumb, puppies start their vaccines at about 8 weeks of age and receive a parvovirus vaccine every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Typically 2-3 parvovirus vaccines are needed before a puppy is considered fully immunized.

It is of the utmost importance to keep your puppy quarantined in your home until it is fully vaccinated. This is where most pet owners fail because they are so excited about the new puppy that they want to walk it around the neighborhood and show it off to the world. No! No! No! Unless you can guarantee that an infected dog has not pooped on that ground in the last 10 years, don’t do it. I usually advise that owners limit outdoor areas to their own backyard, which is a far more controlled environment than the front yard, or that they find a designated potty-area if a backyard is unavailable. Any other dogs that the puppy comes into contact with should also be up to date on their own vaccinations. In addition, when you take your healthy puppy to the veterinarian, carry him in your arms to and from the car and do not allow him to run around the clinic floor. While decontamination is a priority in all clinics and hospitals, they are still hotbeds for diseases as many sick animals come through their doors day after day.

Lastly, if for whatever reason, your once spritely puppy starts acting dull, starts refusing to eat, or develops ANY vomiting and/or diarrhea, call your family veterinarian or local veterinary emergency hospital for advice.

Congratulations on your new puppy and may he be forever healthy and parvo-free!

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About the Creator

Erin Patterson, RVT

Erin received a B.S. in Biology from UC Santa Cruz and currently works as an ER & ICU vet tech at a California small animal emergency and specialty hospital. She is passionate about animal welfare & education. Insta: biologist_erin

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