Another parvo question

[rabidpecan]

Okay.........So I know I've already asked a lot of questions on this topic, but I have one more, specifically for you breeders..........

Some of you remember my situation where I had a deposit on a puppy who died of parvo. Since then I have a hold on another puppy (this time from someone who has good reviews from people on this board), but I'm concerned about the possibility of passing on parvo to the new one. Let me explain why.......We didn't know the puppies had been exposed to parvo until we went to pick our puppy up. The breeder's husband (obviously not very bright) let us come in and hold some of the puppies before explaining that they had been exposed, one of whom we later realized was probably already showing signs of being sick. He said they had cleaned the room that morning, but I have no idea if he used bleach or not. There was no evidence of feces on the floor, but the puppies were allowed to run around and there were wood chips all over. We also took a bag of food from them, from the top of a pile that was kept in the same room as the dogs. We didn't realize at the time how extremely contagious parvo is, or there are a lot of things we would have done differently.
Anyway, since then we have cleaned the bottoms of our shoes with a bleach and water solution, and we took the advice of some of you on this board and washed the outside of the dog food bag as well, then emptied it into another container, making sure the bag didn't touch any of the food or the other container. We've also (of course) washed the clothes we were wearing. I'm not sure what else we could do to de-contaminate, but if any of you have tips, please share.

My question is this........As a breeder, would you feel comfortable sending a puppy into our home? The sick puppy was never in our home, and we've since had a friend over a few times with her dog who is just over a year old, and that dog hasn't gotten sick. And when I cleaned our shoes there was no evidence of fecal matter on them. But of course the last thing I want to do is make a puppy sick and possibly kill it.

Just as a last note......I've already spoken with a local vet who said that as long as we washed our shoes and clothing it shouldn't be a problem, but I'm also working on getting a second opinion.

[cissy k]

I have no answer as I am not a breeder. I just want to say that I admire the dedication and concern you are showing by being so careful. You will make a marvelous parent for that lucky puppy!

[Tink]

I wish I had a clear cut answer for you, but I really don't.
The word "parvo" brings fear to the heart of breeders like the word "cancer" does to the ears of a mother with a sick child. It's so deadly and so contagious that it's hard to be rational about it. One mistake and you can wipe out your entire breeding program.

I would strongly suggest calling a few different vets and asking their opinion. Obviously they see dogs with parvo and are able to decontaminate after... or they'd have to close their doors after one left. They should be able to give you a much better and hopefully more objective opinion than us breeders could.

Good luck. This has been such an unfair situation for you and your family. My heart goes out to you.

[mtd885]

Ok Here ya go! http://www.marvistavet.com/html/the_par ... viron.html

[rabidpecan]

THANK YOU FOR THAT LINK!! I actually came across that site when I first looked into things, but I didn't remember reading that the infection can die INDOORS within a month. That makes me feel soooooooooooooooo much better! We visited this breeder in the very first part of August and our new puppy isn't due until the middle to end of October, plus I did what I could to decontaminate, so it looks like the risk would be minimal. I think I even used way more bleach in the water than is required.

Anyway, I still welcome comments, but I admit to feeling very relieved. I know there's no way to guarantee the puppies' safety, but I feel as sure as I can get. And thanks, cissy for your comment. I'm really going to try hard to be a good doggie parent. I'm enrolling her in puppy preschool here as soon as I can.

[mtd885]

Glad to help!

[Jac]

Michael, thanks for posting that link! I always thought that Parvo lives in the ground for years (my vet said that).
I didn't know that it did not live that long indoors.
So, you have eased my mind considerably too. Thanks!

[Doodlesville]

Originally Posted by Jac

Michael, thanks for posting that link! I always thought that Parvo lives in the ground for years (my vet said that).
I didn't know that it did not live that long indoors.
So, you have eased my mind considerably too. Thanks!

Im not real sure how true that is,
In my experience from people i know that have had it in their environment that is not always the case

Although i normally do trust that site for info, in this case i have to disagree with their opinion on parvo . All other vets i know ,,all research i have done, too many others are not in agreement

In this posters case, It sounds like you have done all you can do, there is really no definitive answer, Its not likely you would be infected by parvo, especially since the pup was not in your environment,,

[Kendra NVL]

Bleach your floors and other hard surfaces, thoroughly wash your clothes if possible using bleach or a product called D-128. D-128 will kill parvo and is not expensive, it is $15 for a 1 gallon jug. dip your shoes, wash down your drive.....

yes I sound like an alarmist but that is the only way to be sure you got it. It is serious but can be killed and you dont have to worry.

Your new puppy will likely be very strong and healthy and be able to fight off any traces of parvo if they are there.

Unfortunately you dont know where parvo is, it doesn't have a little flag it holds up and waves in the air.... so when you go to the park, nature trails, hiking, fishing, camping, to the pet store you are likely coming in contact with parvo and other bacteria.... you cant live your life in a bubble and there is no need for you to really worry that your new puppy will get parvo.

There is a vaccine that you can buy called Neopar, you can get it from Lambriar vet supply or ask your vet to get a single dose of it for you, give it to your pup, if you are still concerned.

[Kendra NVL]

it is for real, there are several breeders out in CA who use it. Bakersfield CA is a hot bed for parvo as well and that is how the take care of it out there.

[M&Tdoodles]

Our expereince with parvo..
Back in 2003, we obtained our first Labradoodel from Laughlin Kennels in Ma. His name was "Killian"...and God was he adorable....after one week ( 7 days) he started to vomit and have loose stools. Broght him to the vet got tested and it was + for Parvo. They atrted an IV for hydration and allowed me to take hime home with us. We called Laughlin Kennels. They said we would have to return the dog in order to get our $$$ returned.
The next day we did and they promised to admit him to their vet hospital.
The next day they called and said he had passed that night.
Supposedly he was 8 weeks old, but I dont know , he seemd awfully small.

2 months later ( 8 weeks mind you) we obtained 2 labradoodle puppies . They were from North Carolina, and they were born on the day Killian died. Wierd Karma stuff. They brought Kelsey and her brother for the ride to keep Kelsey company. We decided to meet half way between North Carolin and Rhode Island in Delaware. Not knowing we would be meeting 2 puppies instead of one we stupidly decided to take Kelsey's brother also. We named him "REX".

2 weeks after being at our house , they both started with diarrhea and vomitting....OH know here we go again. Rex tested pos for Parvo not Kelsey.
Went to weekend only animal hospital and the IV was started ,I pleaded to the Vet into allowing us to bring REX home and we would administer the IV bags of antibiotics around the clock. The vet said they were super busy that night & since I was a nurse he would allow it. Thank GOD...we also found "PARVAID" on line and had it shipped to us pronto.It is an herbal remedy we fed 1 tbsp to REX every hour for 3 days along with Iv and antibiotics. We were desperate to try anything and everything.
Happy ending , REX turned out fine & got better & as it goes Kesley never got it..
The moral of the story is if the dog is older it will have a much better chance of survival, i would say wait a bit until the dog is 9 weeks at least.
Dont bring the puppy anywhere in public. if you go to a large pet store like pet co, bleach the bottom of your shoes before entering your house.

Sounds like you are being very cautious which is a super great thing.