Parvo

jaspersfam416 · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:27 am Post subject: Parvo

I have a friend who needs to find a new home for her 4 month old Dane pup, and I am seriously thinking about taking him! I grew up with one and know that I Love the breed and I think that Jasper and him will get along fine since they are both still pups, but this dog has had Parvo! He was recently in the hospital and almost died from it, but a week and a half and 800.00 dollars later he is doing fine. I have a few concerns though before I bring this dog home..... Can Jasper catch it even if Jasper has been vaccinated against it? Will this dog always be unhealthy? What kind of long term effects does Parvo have on a dog? Any info would be much appreciated! Very Happy

amazonstarlight · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:43 am Post subject:

I help with and foster dogs for our Animal Welfare Society with my landlord on our land. Last year our town suffered a devistating flood and we had collected over 300 animals. During that time we unfortunately felt the effect of parvo with some of the dogs. Here are some key information about parvo:
1. It takes up to 6 months to completly rid an area of parvo, because it is absorbed into the ground.
2. Parvo can be so easily spread, just a simple breeze, bird, or shoe can spread the disease.
3. Dogs who have had parvo can still be contageous for a couple of months.
4. Dogs who have had the vaccine CAN still be susceptible to parvo. This is more common in young pups under a year old and much older dogs. Or dogs who are down on their health.
5. A dog who has had parvo can have major health issues for several months, and even can have a lowered immune/health system for years.

Sadly, Parvo is one of the most serious illnesses a dog can deal with. Once a dog has parvo you have less than a couple of hours to start a nursing regimen, as it sometimes only takes 8-12 hours to completely drain a dog of all it's liquids. It is not something to be taken lightly. I hope that this info helps, not scare. I would say if the dog has just recently had parvo to wait a couple of months before you take him in, but just make sure that Jasper has had the shot first!

jaspersfam416 · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:06 pm Post subject:

Thank you! I dont want to do anything that will put Jasper at risk. Jasper has had the shots, but I really dont want to take a chance! I would love to help the dog out and give it a good forever home, but the pup has only been out of the hospital for a few weeks.

GailB · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject:

How old is Jasper?

jaspersfam416 · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject:

He will be 9 months on the 23rd.

amazonstarlight · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject:

With Jasper still under a year old, if it were me I wouldn't take the risk. I just have seen too many cases of parvo and how quickly it spreads that I just wouldn't do it at all. Not yet. Is your friend trying to rehome the dog really soon? If not maybe you could wait at least a few(3-4) months so the parvo will have enough time to be bleached/cleaned/die off. I know that seems like a long time but it really does take that long to quarantine and dispose of.

jaspersfam416 · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:47 pm Post subject:

I just dont think I am going to mess with it at all.

weinyrhymer · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 5:21 pm Post subject:

Atlas contracted parvo 3 weeks after I brought him home, and I think it's why he has so many stomach problems, even over 4 years later. Sad

I dog-sat another weim at my house a few days before I learned Atlas had parvo, and that weim never came down with it. But he was a bit older, maybe 5 or so.

GailB · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 5:44 pm Post subject:

Jillynn important if you visit this house with the sick dog...please clean the bottom of your shoe soles with javex this way your home will be protected from the parvo Wink

We had a baby german shepherd that contracted parvo as a pup...he went on to live a happy healthy life with no signs of any illness...4 yrs ago he died at the age of thirteen from seizure complications...he had only developed the seizures 3 months prior to his death.....all his blood work came back as normal kidneys,liver,heart etc...so I doubt it had anything to do with the parvo he contracted as a pup....

Whatever you decide to do...good luck with your decision....

harpbonefran · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject:

My Gracie came down with parvo 5 days after I got her. I do believe she had a compromised immune system for a while, as she seemed to have allergic reactions to things and a sensitive stomach for many months after. She also had a bad case of skin mites that the vet believes was a result of the parvo.

But she survived and is now a healthy 3 year old. I can't say that I see any effects now, but who knows what the future will bring. I just try to make sure I give her the best food and care.

BTW, Gracie had received all of her shots for parvo and got it anyway. My vet said that because it is so contagious, sometimes it can "sneak in" in between boosters. It didn't help that Gracie was a poop eater at the time (no longer, thank goodness!) and that parvo is mainly transmitted in poop!