Avoiding Parvo

[Annie OG]

The new puppy guide that was put up on the site yesterday says to wait 3 months before taking your puppy outside!!!! Does anyone actually do that? I can't do that but I am wondering about how to avoid places where other dogs are pooping and peeing when you are traveling with a puppy who hasn't completed his parvo shots?? Any suggestions?

[Lynne B]

My vet said I could take Beck outside after his second series of shots, but maybe my vet doesn't really know /shrug

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I think you'll find that most do wait and for good reason. These guys are so little and if they get parvo and get sick they may not be able to fight it off. Talk to your vet...is my suggestion. Good luck

[Tammy & Gracie]

My vet allowed me to take Gracie around the neighborhood but said absolutely no parks, pet stores and the like.

[Annie OG]

Great, that's what I was thinking, we haven't had a dog so I think the yard is fine, don't see how you can not take them outside. One thing I'm discovering is that all of the experts say different things so I'm just trying to be informed and make an educated decision. Thanks

[Lynda Kamrath]

I think they meant not around other areas where dogs have been until they are three months old (have their immunity). Your own yard is fine and should not be contaminated. I remember it was the same with my son when he was an infant - not around any other infants until he had his immunizations and we did not give him immunizations until he was six months old. It is just being cautious.

[Calista Dalley]

Just got back from the vet. my puppy is 14 weeks, and our vet says the guidelines for California are to wait until 4 days after the last set of puppy shots. That is in 3 weeks + 4 days for us :-(
We were told that if you walk them around your street/block that it will be very difficult to keep them away from other dog's droppings because parvo can be there even after those droppings are picked up. I hate to be over cautious, but I've seen puppies sick with this. It is best to be safe...

[Annie OG]

Thanks, this is very helpful, we will keep him to just our yard.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Hi Annie...we live in a townhome and there are lots of dogs in my complex. Until Peri was 16 weeks old, our vet said to walk her in the same area everyday...furthest from a big communal area. We kept her and our other dog Taquito in a small area right off our back porch, where only one dog was walked (we know him and know he is vaccinated). It is really hard, but worth the wait. Also, we would bleach our shoe soles after walking into a place like Petsmart (never took Peri with us)...too many unvaccinated dogs. It will fly by though. Don't worry!

[Annie OG]

Thanks so much, this is all new since our last puppy which was 15 years ago. Hadn't thought of the shoe thing in Petsmart. I talked to the manager in our local Petco and she was so well trained. She said they are told to warn customers when they come in the door with a young puppy. We are having fun just being here in our yard but have to travel next week so I will have to be creative with pit stops along the way!

[Lori]

I am new to DoodleKisses & will be driving to VA from NY to pick my puppy up the end of Oct. (I am VERY excited!)
What should I do with such a long ride home? It will probably be about 8 hours in the car with the pup. I'm glad I joined & saw this, didn't think much about it!!! YIKES!
Any suggestions would be helpful...THANKS!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Just try not to take the pup to any populated grassy areas, where you see a lot of dogs (be careful at rest areas).
Pick her/him up and take her directly to a spot away from a lot of walkers and dogs...it travels through feet. You will probably be okay if you try to strategically stop at places that are off the beaten path. Might want to put some puppy pee pads in the crate just in case. Search within this site using "parvo" and you can get some other tips. And you could ask your vet. I was alarmed too when I first heard about parvo, but if you are smart, your pup will be okay!

[Kathy Wilson]

Yah, I fear that I'll be absolutely petrified until she's 4 months old. Hope cats are safe.....I have two of them. Thinking I'm going to buy pee pads by the case. Annnnd, we're supposed to socialize them by exposing them to many situations. How does one do that early on?