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I see some folks who try to maintain no contact with the ground, ever, under any circumstance.
My understanding is, it's all about fecal exposure.
Avoiding any eating of fecal matter is a no brainer. I would also extend it to no inhalation of dust that may contain it. So no dog park or walking in places where dogs routinely pass through. No lawns or dirt.
However, I think it may be OK to allow walking on a relatively clean surface in a lightly populated area. Also, the issue with ground contact, assuming ingestion and inhalation have been prevented, would be paw licking after walking on the ground. Therefore, wipe the paws with a non toxic disinfectant.
Please share your views.
How far do you take the parvo prevention?
This is obviously in the context of pups who have not received their full course of vaccinations.
My pups didn't leave my yard until they were fully vaccinated...usually around 4 mths old. They were carried into the vet's office and out of the vet's office because you have not idea what's on the floor/grass.
I'm not sure your system would prevent a puppy from getting parvo. Who knows where the virus could be lurking. I also don't think a non-toxic disinfectant would kill the virus.
I don't take mine anywhere but the vet until they are fully vaccinated. It's a crap shoot. They may be fine or they may die from parvo. It's an awful way for a dog to die and very expensive to treat. The virus has a high mortality rate. We see a lot of it in rescue unfortunately.
IMO there's no reason to expose a dog to the risk.
I was advised by a vet to avoid popular doggy places (dog parks, pet stores, the yard outside the Vet, etc) but that walking the dog along on a leash in a neighborhood was probably fine, don't let it eat poop obviously.
The thing is, you don't need to walk a puppy much at that age. They kind of explore and tire themselves out on their own.
I took my dog all over creation when I got him, around as many dogs as I could, but only fully vaccinated dogs.
I was advised by a vet to avoid popular doggy places (dog parks, pet stores, the yard outside the Vet, etc) but that walking the dog along on a leash in a neighborhood was probably fine, don't let it eat poop obviously.
The thing is, you don't need to walk a puppy much at that age. They kind of explore and tire themselves out on their own.
I took my dog all over creation when I got him, around as many dogs as I could, but only fully vaccinated dogs.
Fully vaccinated dogs can get parvo. There are different strains of the virus. It's not likely but it can happen. I know someone who's dog was an adult, had all the requisite vaccines and still died from it.
Parvo is everywhere, not just in fecal material. It is scary because more recent strains aren't covered by the vaccine.
I understand people who carry their puppies and don't let them walk anywhere outside the home until fully vaccinated. However, vaccination protocols for puppies/dogs are changing, and while controversial, are worth considering; dog owners need to be better educated on the rationale and consequences of existing vaccination protocols. To be clear- I am not against vaccinating, but I am opposed to mindlessly and needlessly vaccinating. We need to be informed consumers for our dog's sake.
Caution over the possibility of parvo must not outweigh early socialization. It is absolutely critical that young puppies have early socialization to the full gamut of people, vehicles, sounds, smells, animals, etc; not having that critical early socialization can negatively affect the dog if steps aren't taken to remedy the lack of early socialization.
The challenge is how to balance the need for safety vis a vis parvo/distemper against the need for early socialization. Since parvo can be found in almost any yard, I think the key is to socialize as much as possible while only letting them touch ground in very low risk areas e.g. the home, own yard where there haven't been any unvaccinated dogs, but definitely keep them away from pet store potty areas, dog parks, vet offices, or other public areas. I am with those who still get their dogs out and about but carry them or have them in pouches or packs.
So how about You being a carrier? When my kennel got Parvo I lost a Lot of dogs even an older female 1 year later. I BLEACHED Every thing inc my Shoes coming & Going, the yard! Dogs got Double shots by the vet...(Normal shots 10 days apart) Pups I lost I Burned as per vet orders. My kennel was under quarantine for 6 weeks!
Sad thing is Pups I saved ... as they grew older.... Suffered Seizures later in life.
Yes it is carried in Stool. That's why there have been stricter Laws on picking up after your dogs...fines leash laws! But unless you also Spray the area your dog poops on After you pick it up with Bleach.... even tho it looks clean it CAN still have the residue of Parvo, Corona. & Can Still be carried around on Shoes & doggy paws!
When First Dog was almost 5 months old she contracted parvo--a week after her parvo shot. Hmmmmm. We got her to the vet immediately, and she survived, and lived to the ripe old age (for a Shepherd-Lab mix ) of 13. However, to protect other dogs she had to be quarantined for several months, and the 6th month is crucial to socialization, so she was never properly dog-socialized. She didn't know the dog language for play, and she couldn't tell whether another dog was playful or aggressive. But she knew 200 human words and responded to complete sentences. She was the best little furry humanoid ever...
I would be extremely cautious with a new puppy. Parvo is a real threat.
Mine stayed in and only in my fenced in back patio until she was fully vaccinated. Held her and no floor contact at vet and pet store.
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