[Scamp]

I am a very paranoid person, so I am always asking these type of questions.

I heard somewhere that the parvo booster really does not protect all dogs from catching it, is that true? I am so afraid to take my pup to the park because of what I have read.

Thanks

[CrzyBritNAmerica]

I kind of think that there is always a chance a dog (human, cat...whatever) can catch something whether they are vaccinated or not, but it makes it lot less likely.

I can tell you that puppies and younger dogs are more susceptible to parvo than adults, but if your dog is up to date on his DHPPC shots then it's probably pretty unlikely that he would get parvo. Bridgette goes to the dog park and is always UTD on shots and I've never really been too worried. They usually contract parvo from mosquitos and such, but also from sniffing at other dogs poop.

But on a side note make sure your dog is also utd on his bordetella shot if you are going to be around other dogs with him.

[briteday]

Some pups are not able to produce the antibodies to the parvo virus until they are 4-5 months old. That's why they get their last set of shots around that time, to pick up any stragglers who haven't seroconverted from their first rounds. Also, once they get the shot it takes days to weeks to form the antibodies.

Personally I didn't take my pups into public places until they were a good 5-6 months old. By then they have a stronger immune system, are larger in size so they could sustain if they did become ill, and are less likely to be picking everything up in their mouth.

[britishbandit]

I personally don't trust shots to be completely effective until all 3 of the boosters have be administered. However I do believe that if you make sure your pup gets the proper vaccinations, and on time throughout it's life, the chances of contracting those diseases it has be vaccinated against are unlikely. Parvo doesn't affect adult dogs like it does puppies (in young puppies it is often fatal, where as adult dogs can usually recover from it), and black and tan breeds are more prone to it (for reasons unknown).

Most veterinarians and breeders will caution you not to take your puppy to pet stores, parks and such (where other dogs have been that may carry a certain disease) at least until after the second booster.

[Chloef_2799]

I personally don't trust any of the shots or the heart worm medications. I have heard all kinds of stories about dogs getting parvo and heart worm and bortadella etc even though they are healthy as can be and utd on all their shots. That having been said my dogs still get their shots and heart worm meds because what they do is allow the dogs antibodies to be better able to ward off the diseases which in turn makes the dog less likely to become sick or atleast makes them less sick if they should happen to contract the sickness.
You shouldn't worry to much about your dog getting sick because things like parvo and other serious canine illnesses are reported and the public is notified if dogs that have been going to such and such a park have been getting parvo. I would suggest just keeping your dog on a leash at all times making sure they are utd on their shots and not being so paranoid because life is way too short to not be out there with your doggy enjoying it!!

[CrzyBritNAmerica]

Originally Posted by Chloef_2799

I personally don't trust any of the shots or the heart worm medications. I have heard all kinds of stories about dogs getting parvo and heart worm and bortadella etc even though they are healthy as can be and utd on all their shots.

That's a good outlook. I think if the dog is always utd on all the shots it is unlikely that they will contract the diseases/illnesses, but it is definitely not impossible. I mean heartworm meds prevent heartworm disease yet most vets still like to do a hwt ever year even if you are giving preventative all year round...so that in itself says that there must be some chance they can contract heartworms.

And like the others said I would also definitely until all the booster shots are done before taking your puppy. Another thing I forgot to mention is that I would make sure you get a regular fecal exam done if you are going to be taking pup to the dog park. I do just because aside from what the vaccines cover there's giardia, coccidia and other things that could make them a little sick. That's what I do anyway.

[Scamp]

Thank you so much everyone. That makes me feel better. I agree with you Cholef_2799, Life is too short and I know that my pup feels good when we do things outside of the house