Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a highly contagious viral disease of dogs that commonly causes acute gastrointestinal illness in puppies. The disease most often strikes in pups between six and 20 weeks old, but older animals are sometimes also affected.
The Canine Parvovirus is a very real threat to young puppies. In fact, Parvo (CPV), is the primary reason we stopped allowing families onto the farm several years ago. (We now use a remote/virtual puppy selection process.) Parvo can be fatal for young puppies, so it’s imperative it be taken seriously.
Puppies have some natural protection for the first few weeks of life thanks to antibodies that momma carries. They’re not completely safe, however, and especially once momma weans the pups, the puppy is at great risk. We therefore typically start vaccinating puppies at around 6 weeks of age.
Since our puppies usually go home between 8 and 10 weeks, it’s possible that your puppy could have 2 or 3 Parvo vaccinations. In any instance, it’s important we communicate about this and you pay very close attention to instructions for care until YOUR vet gives you the final ok, indicating it’s completely safe for your puppy to be out in public.
Here are a few things to remember when your puppy comes home:
- Your puppy is NOT considered protected until after the 3rd vaccination. We have spoken with vets recently who are now administrating 5 (FIVE!) rounds of Parvo vaccinations, rather than the customary 3. Please speak with your vet at your puppy’s first vet check. Some parts of the country are more at risk than others. (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Mississippi are typically at the top of the list for most at risk.)
- Full protection may take up to one week after the final dose!
- We send home health records with all puppies and this includes proof of vaccines we’ve given the puppy. However, some vets still prefer to start the vaccination process over. This is up to the discretion of your vet and we encourage you to follow the lead of your vet.
- Until your puppy is fully immune, which means YOUR VET has given you the “all-clear”, avoid public places that are higher risk. Those place might include, but are not limited to: public parks; gas stations; pet stores; dog parks; neighborhoods; etc.
- It’s important, therefore, to keep your puppy in well-known places until she is fully immune. Backyards are usually ok. Front yards, unless it’s a fenced yard, is not ok. The general rule is this: avoid ANY areas where other unknown dogs may have been. It’s better to train inside the home and deal with a few accidents for a few weeks than to risk it!
- We highly recommend a puppy vet check as soon as possible once your puppy comes home.
- Other family pets, assuming they’re fully vaccinated, are safe for new puppies. (As long as that dog is also kept in safe areas. There could be a potential risk if another household pet is allowed to roam freely where other unknown dogs might exist. It’s very possible for the virus to be tracked into your home, putting the new puppy at risk.)
- Puppy pick-up & the ride home: We don’t recommend allowing your new puppy to walk or potty in public places on the way home. In fact, we don’t even recommend letting your puppy’s feet touch the ground until you get to your home. As I’ve explained to many families, it’s better to have an accident or two in the car than to risk exposure to Parvo on your puppies journey to your home! Please see the “preparing for your Puppy” email for more information and tips for your puppy’s coming home day!
