Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
Parvo Virus on the loose
8/29/2009 at 4:27 PM
To all the new puppy owners out there or owners who think one vaccination booster in their dogs life will protect them, be warned.
The Parvo Virus is making its was around Brandon.
Parvovirus is a viral disease in dogs. It affects puppies more frequently than it affects adult dogs but without proper vaccination protocols, no dog is safe.
Signs of the Parvo Virus are:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Lethargy
Usually they stop eating and develop a bloody, foul-smelling, liquid stool.
Dogs and puppies can contract parvo even if they never leave their yards. Parvo virus, despite what you might hear, is NOT an airborne virus. It is excreted in the feces of infected dogs, and if someone - human, dog, bird, etc. - steps in (or otherwise comes in contact with) the feces, the possibility for contamination is there.
Please get your puppies vaccinated properly. Initially they need 3 Boosters, 3-4 weeks apart, usually starting at 6-9 weeks of age.
Then after that, a yearly booster is recommended.
Please be a smart owner, your dog deserves it.