Is Parvo At All Contagious

[Rileys mum]

There have been a large number of dogs with parvo around my area, so much so that its made the news and the council has put parvo information flyers up in areas where dogs frequent.

both my dogs (18 month old and 4 month old) are vaccinated. are they both completely safe or is it possible for dogs to still pick up parvo on rare occasions even though they are vaccinated? Im just very concerned about their health and safety and want to.keep them safe. I figure they are both safe but just thought id run it past the knowledgeable DOL community :-)

[k9angel]

Yes sadly, some can and do still get parvo despite being vaccinated.

It happened to one of my rescue pups. Despite being double vaccinated he got it at 5 mths of age and died. There were a few other cases here around the same time - of vaccinated dogs coming down with it, I remember questioning my vet about the possiblity of a new strain. He thought similiar and was going to look in to it.

It's really scary and with all this weird weather of late, (hot one day, raining the next, then hot again) I fear it is going to be a horrible year for it. It's already looking that way.

[Rileys mum]

Oh. so sorry about your rescue pup :-( thankyou for your reply. Think ill be keeping them to areas not frequented by many dogs....good excuse to explore some trails around the place :-)

[Tassie]

And I'd be keeping a close eye on them - in those circumstances, if they're at all unwell, and particularly if they get diarrhoea and/or vomiting, I'd be calling the vet, and maybe taking them in - but not into the waiting room until you've checked with the vet/staff. (Assuming your vet is local.)

[OSoSwift]

We have had a few pups died down here recently all up to date with vaccinations and under 12 months of age. Very sad

[Rileys mum]

Yeah its quite scary. Im especially worried for my 4 month old simply because she is so young (still obviously worried for Riley boy too lol)

Just going to have to find ways to keep them exercised without putting them at any risk. Any GSP owners will know how crazy they become without an energy outlet lol.

Cheers guys :-)

[Tassie]

Don't forget that brain training uses up energy too - good opporunity for playing round with some shaping or trick teaching or all sorts of things - beginning tracking - GSPs are good at that :D - but you're right - it is a worry, expecially for thre youngster.

[becks]

No vaccination guarantees 100% protection.

[sandgrubber]

My Australian vet told me she's seen a fair number of vaccinated dogs get parvo in their first year, but very few if any get parvo after having a second round of vaccinations at ~ 14 months. Apparently the puppy vaccinations sometimes fail to develop immunity. If I remember correctly, my vet said this problem isn't as bad now as it used to be . . . some of the newer vaccinations work better.

[westiemum]

My vet suggested yesterday to be careful - parvo is rampant in patches across Adelaide at the moment,and its particularly nasty. She suggested try to stay in areas where dogs are more likely to be vaccinated...