A question on the Parvo shot

ery good points. I wanted to expand, the parvo virus can survive in the ground for extended periods of time, over winter (we think), and on objects (like your shoes, hands, feet, wheels of your car and RV...) so your dog does NOT have to come in contact with an infected dog to be exposed to the virus. Staying in a house or in your yard is no protection at all.

One other thing to consider-most, if not all, of the canine family (wolves, coyotes, foxes) can also carry/transmit Parvo. Although your yard is fenced, even if you walk the dog across your driveway there is still a chance it can become infected from other members of the canine family.

THANKS to everyone for their comments! You have certainly given us food for thought. We planned to talk with our vet. Because of this forum, we are better prepared!

Call you vet - my vet said it was necessary.

As Dr.Doug pointed out, it is an important vaccine but not necessary annually as most vaccines are not. We even do the 3 year rabies.

toedtoes wrote:
Talk to your vet and express your concerns. Then make a decision with your vet that will be the best for your dogs.

Comparing not vaccinating for Parvo against not vaccinating for Kennel Cough is apples to oranges.

Parvo virus can survive in the ground, so your dogs don't need to come into contact with an infected dog to get the disease.

Also, just like with people vaccinations, all the dogs who get vaccinated help protect those dogs who can't get vaccinated for health reasons.

Make sure YOUR decision is based on facts and not hype.

Very good points. I wanted to expand, the parvo virus can survive in the ground for extended periods of time, over winter (we think), and on objects (like your shoes, hands, feet, wheels of your car and RV...) so your dog does NOT have to come in contact with an infected dog to be exposed to the virus. Staying in a house or in your yard is no protection at all.

Ever stop at a rest stop?? Just walking around even if you don't step in a pile of poop could pick up millions of virus particles without knowing it.

Parvo vaccination is an absolute necessity for dogs. The only exception would be for individual health reasons in each particular dog.

The real question is how often?

The guidelines published by the AAHA and updated 2011 recommend a complete puppy series of core vaccinations with the final parvo around 20 weeks of age (particularly important in some breeds - dobermans, rots, pits). Boosters are recommended every three years. The report is available online, PDF file 43 pages long - just google it.

The reaction to the parvo fraction of the vaccination (most times it is included in a multiple vaccine including Distemper) is just about non-existent, in my experience. The severity of the disease and the real risk of death is such that I wouldn't risk not vaccinating without VERY REAL, known complications from the vaccination in that individual.

Doug, DVM

Ever go camping. Has other dogs been in RV park. Yes they need.

Talk to your vet and express your concerns. Then make a decision with your vet that will be the best for your dogs.

Comparing not vaccinating for Parvo against not vaccinating for Kennel Cough is apples to oranges.

Parvo virus can survive in the ground, so your dogs don't need to come into contact with an infected dog to get the disease.

Also, just like with people vaccinations, all the dogs who get vaccinated help protect those dogs who can't get vaccinated for health reasons.

Make sure YOUR decision is based on facts and not hype.

I'm not a vet. But we had a epileptic dog and the epi websites recommended to not do it if they weren't kenneled. Then with any shot you have to weigh off the risk if they get the disease. Kennel cough rarely if ever kills and is treated with a round of anti biotics.

Heart worm medicine is not one you would not give as there are fleas everywhere and heart worm treatment can kill a healthy dog.

BTW. Through careful administration of meds, better food, eliminating bugs spray and cleaners from our house our epi dog went from 2-3 seizures a week to a few a month and a year later 2-3 per year.

So you wonder if it helps a healthy dog too.