Parvo at the vet and airports. - Page 1

If  you have purchased new pup., read the advice from Prager Hans

PARVO  WILL KILL YOUR PUP EASILY. SICK DOGS WITH PARVO FROM 100 MILES AREA GO TO YOUR VET. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOUR VET TO STERILIZE ENTIRE CLINIC, PARKING LOT, DOOR NOBS, COUNTERS, CHAIRS, WALLS, PENCILS, CREDIT CARD MACHINE.... PARVO WILL SURVIVE UP TO 5 YEARS ON SOME SURFACES. STAY AWAY FROM VET AS FROM PLAGUE UNLESS THE PUP IS FULLY IMMUNIZED OR REALY SICK!!!! NO CHECK UP AT THE VET FOR HEALTHY PUP AFTER THE ARRIVAL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE  SYMPTOM LESS  PUP IS WELL. IF YOUR PUP WILL GET PARVO IT WILL COST YOU THOUSANNDS OF DOLLARS TO TREAT IT AND IT STILL MAY DIE. THE SAME IS APLICABLE TO AIRPORT. KEEP THE PUP IN THE CRATE!!!!!  PARVO IS DEATH!!!!!!!!!  
 

prager, you're extremely right! I often describe parvo as a "landmine" only waiting to be set off. Infact, parvo virus is terrorist in dog population. "he who have ears, hear well".

Wouldn't it be easier to just call the vet and ask if they have had any parvo pups in their office that one should be concerned about? Those blanket statements can do more harm than good.

I did have a dog contract kennel cough from going to the vet, so it can happen, but that vet did not charge me for the cure, rightly so. I just don't think you should condemn all vets offices as unsafe. Or unknowledgeable.

Beetree ALL vet clinics had parvo there. Parvo virus will survive for years. Only brand new clinic is safe until one pup with parvo goes there. About 30 years ago I went through parvo in my kennel. I have lost many litters back then. Since then I take precautions and wear overalls which I strip the overalls and put them into plastic bag for washing in bleached water when  I leave vet clinic  and then I step on towel soaked in bleach water  with my shoes and wash my hands in bleach water. Since I have implemented these precautions  I have not lost any dogs to parvo.
Also kennel cough is pretty much harmless where parvo will kill your dog in about 47% cases. I have seen all litters to die dehydrated puking and and having bloody stool.  One day perfect pup, next day sick pup 3-5 day dead pup. Really sad. No blanket statement no precaution is too strong.
For example to mitigate the parvo danger I go for health certificate for shipping to my horse vet.

Also if the pup gets parvo it is going to cost you $1000-$5000(!!!) and pup still may die.
Hans   

beetree I am not condemninng no vets. This is just the harsh reality.
Hans

Hans,

You are so right.

An old friend imported two puppies from Germany.  They arrived sick at the airport.  It was parvo.  She knew what it was immediately.  Extreme measures had to be taken to avoid contaminating her kennels and the car.  Lucky for her, her best friend was a vet who made visits to her kennels.  All sorts of anti-contagion and sterile precautions were taken.  The puppies survived and it did not spread.  It was horrifying.  It made a big impression on me.

Most of us do not have free veterinary care available 24 hours. 

Mariah will not be going to the vet till she is a bit older.  Fortunately, I can take her to Kim to get her shots.

Michele

We have been in the small animal veterinary business for 15 years. We have had numerous parvo cases come in and out, with varying results. The contagion factor is very real. In the veterinary hospital environment, strict procedures must be adhered to when a possible parvo case might be coming in the door. Containment is key. If there is suspicion, the dog must come in a crate, go directly to isolation for workup and only one tech is assigned to the case. The tech can get the history, vitals, sample and run the diagnostic test. If you get a positive parvo, then the doctor can speak with the client and consider the options. If hospitalization is an option, then an additional person must come into play, (very hard to establish an IV catheter with just one person).

Yes, treating a parvo case is expensive, and a portion of the expense is alloted to the precautions the veterinary hospital must take and the devotion of at least one staff member to the case, so as to provide not only optimum care for the patient, but minimize contamination of the facility as well.

It can be done. As stated earlier, we have treated numerous cases over the years. We have Never had another puppy pick up parvo from our facility. I have been the tech assigned to a case, when I had a litter of puppies at home, you want to talk about **88((*&&7   SCARY.....  When this has happened, I call ahead and have all dogs put up, I go in the back deck door straight to the bathroom, where I shower and my clothes are put straight into the washer. If I have to be in that situation, I am fortunate in that I have marvelous daughters who will help me with the puppies, so I can stay away from them.

There are some very powerful disinfectants available that when used properly do kill parvo virus. We use these sort of products daily whether we have had a parvo case or not.

I vaccinate my puppies starting at 5 weeks, rather than waiting until later, because of their increased risk of exposure due to our occupations.


I do advise staying away from dog parks and other places where random dogs with unknown history congregate. I cannot speak for other veterinary hospitals, but I can speak for ours. We take every precaution to ensure that our facility is 'clean" for every animal that comes in the door. We encourage vaccinations for puppies.

     I agree 100% with Prager! I have pups now, and I am scared to death of parvo. I have bleach soaked rugs at both entrances to my house. I carry a spray bottle of bleach in my car, spray coming and going.
     Several years ago, I had pups with parvo, had to go to the vet. The vets office had me bring the pups in, and sit in the waiting room while several other clients sat in the office with their dogs.
     I told the vet when I called, I had parvo. and they respond with "we cannot be certain of that until we do parvo tests",(another way to jack up the bill.Once you have had parvo, you always know the stench of it).
     The one pup bled a lot in the waiting room. I had to ask for cleaning solution, I was given plain paper towels to wipe the floor. I have no idea how long after I went into the room before they sanitized the area.(And this was not my old vet,).
     I recently had to go to the vet to pick up wormer, of course I ask if there has been parvo. And of course, there always is. Hence the bleach bottle.

     I am told by friends, that a local person with the uncared for dogs, pit/mastiff cross has parvo at their house. I go to the grocery store, and there they are. you know damn well they have parvo all over their shoes, all over town.

     I tell anyone that gets a pup from me, do not go to vet. If there is a problem, call me first. same thing as Petco. I will VOID a health guarantee to anyone that parades their pups through Petco.
     But of course, there are many that don't listen or get it 
     It's a shame that you have to fear the vets office. Many pets pick up what you are trying to prevent, right there. Sort of like having to go into the hospitol. Scarey!
 

I would expect my New Pup to be Vaccinated before i pick him up for Parvo and i will see to the booster Jab at the right time via my own Vet,
If you have a litter of Pups if the Vet has to see them before they go to new homes and he will if the job is done right, then if anyone is wary of Vets Clinics then Pay the Vet to come to your Home to give the Pups anything they need to have, Simple and straight forwards, We do not get trouble with this the way it has been said,
I trust the Vet to keep the Clinic In good order and it is in there best interests to do so
Steve1

I absolutely agree with Steve. Luckily most vets desinfect their clinics properly and proper desinfection and hygiene can prevent the spread of diseases in every kennel. I have seen pups with parvo and some died, some survived.
Pups should be vaccinated before shipping, and not only 1 day but at least 2 weeks before shipping. Unfortunately the pup can contract parvo in the kennel while weaned and if parvo is prevalent in the kennel or with other dogs during socialization outside the kennel. However, most pups that are already infected and then vaccinated show symptoms usually very quickly, as the immune system is compromised during vaccination.
Hygiene is extremly important. Some people wipe their pups down when they arrive back home from socializing with other dogs.

To panic and prevent the pups from socializing at all is, in my opinion, wrong (we had this discussion on another topic).
Keep in mind that after all there are more healthy dogs without parvo around then dogs with parvo.