Question:I need to know when it will be ok to take my puppy outside for walks & to play. He is a 9 week old german shepherd. I gave him his 1st Parvo shot 1 week ago. I will be giving his second in 3 weeks from now. The news is that there are quite a bit of parvo cases going around right now, any info will help. Thanks:)
Answers:
Here's the deal: one vaccine is not enough to mount a serious immune response to parvovirus. Also, for the next month or so, we have NO idea of how your dog responded to his first vaccine. There are many factors involved including type of vaccine, expiration of vaccine, storage of vaccine (which is why I am always leary of owners giving their own shots personally), and the puppy's immune system itself (some just aren't as good immunologically as others, and surely purebreds would have more representatives in that category).
At this age, your puppy is at the mercy of his maternal antibodys, which he hopefully received from his momma in the colostrum in the first 24 hours of his little life. And also, that SHE was fully up to date on vaccines when she made that milk.
So bottom line, IMHO there is definitely a chance that your puppy COULD get parvo if exposed to either another puppy that was shedding the virus OR the environment where another parvo-shedding puppy was playing (a VERY tough virus in the environment).
So I would probably err on the side of NOT letting him around any unknown dogs in an unknown environment. If you want to socialize him, find some vaccinated adult dogs or other puppies who do not get exposed to other dogs or environments where other dogs are abound.
Also, on a side-note I would recommend you bring him to a vet for his initial PHYSICAL EXAM to look for any problems (congenital especially in a purebreed!), get his first heartworm preventative (usually the first one is free), some SAFE flea preventative (nothing over the counter that works is safe as far as I'm concerned), and check his fecal for parasites and get his dewormer (if not done already). As a rule, be cautious, and remember, PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE IS THE BEST MEDICINE!
Parvo lives on surfaces for up to 6 months. If you will be in an area that has had a known Parvo case, steer clear. I know you are itching to show off your beautiful Shep, but for your puppy's and your wallet's sake please resist until that last round of vaccines! Good job on keeping up with your puppy's wellness care!
sounds like some good answers.but why are you posting in Reptiles? we're swamped enough here with questions.
Listen to internetpetvet. He's 100% right. :)
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