Parvo Virus
Warm weather is lovely after all this snow but it brings with it heartbreak and fear because this is Parvo season. If you have a new puppy under four months of age, please read this article and be aware of the dangers of this virus. New puppies are especially vulnerable to this disease because they have immature immune systems. The only prevention is vaccination AND keeping your puppy in a safe environment. No public places, dog parks, pet stores or anywhere an unvaccinated dog could go. Even vet offices pose a danger and you need to keep your new baby up off the floor and safely in your arms wrapped in a baby blanket limiting who touches them and laying down a potty pad before placing them on a weight scale. This is not paranoia it's caution. There's a difference.
If you live in an apartment and your puppy would need to potty in a community area then use potty pads indoors until they are fully protected with a series of shots. Puppies get three sets of baby shots two weeks apart then a rabies at four months. Unless they have their own backyard that is "clean" from wild animals or other strange dogs they need a safe place to potty that is just theirs. If this means you need to give them potty pads for a while please do it, it's the safe thing to do. It's just not worth the risk of infection. Parvo can be carried on the bottom of your shoes so take them off after coming home and leave them where the puppy can't chew on them or get to them. Keeping them in a clean environment is essential. Flies are also a danger as they tend to land on feces and transmit disease. Keep flies away as much as possible.
I always say that a baby dog is much like a human infant. A little fur baby needs our protection too. Be proactive and your new puppy will be safe. If your puppy does get Parvo there is a treatment called a plasma transfusion that will save their life. It’s costly but once it is administered they are usually out of danger within a day or so. Red Rocks Animal Center in Lakewood provides this treatment for $250 and it’s well worth the money to save the life of your baby dog. Just like the flu in humans we never know when we’re going to get it. A strong immune system and quick treatment is the best way to survive this puppy disease.
Here’s the link to the Parvo article.....