My friend's puppy - Blue Heeler, about 4 months - contracted Parvo. Luckily, she noticed the dog not feeling well, took to the vet, and got positive diagnosis.

The dog had an unknown history, only 'puppy shots' whatever the hell those are.

She like me does not believe in over vaccinating animals.

At any rate, the good news is that the dog is recovering. At vets office apx 5 days on IV and antibiotics.

The vet told her to bring the pup back in two weeks for vax.

Why would they want to vaccinate the puppy after she has already had Parvo.

Any thoughts?

first, did the vet specify that parvo is the vax to be given at the return visit? if so, IMO, forget it: the pup has developed an immune response to parvo already (obviously--it lived thru it); don't waste the $$.

second, i would not allow a pup of mine to be vaccinated for ANYTHING unless it was healthy in the first place, and i'm not entirely sure that 2 wks after a bout w/parvo is enough time to ensure the pup is recovered. i'll leave that part to it to the more expert ppl on this forum.

third, i am a proponent of minimal vaccines; i would use the "search" function available here to do a bunch of research, walk into the vet's office w/research to back up the "why" and timing of minimal vax, and walk right back out if the doc tried to intimidate me. done it b/f,will do it again if need be. JMO.

I'm with Ann.

No point since she has made it through parvo.

And Ann also raises a very good point of vaccinating sick dogs. Don't do it.

IMO, this dog is done with parvo barring some kind of fluke reinfection.

Good answers. I spent some time last night after talking with Nora about this, looking through manuals for the chances of contracting parvo again. As Michael said, it's darned rare. It's so rare that revaccinating is not indicated in a single vet manual. What I took from my reading: Dogs who contract parvovirus and survive the disease acquire effective immunity against future re-infection to about the same level as dogs who have had the complete set of vax plus booster.

There may be a slip between the vet and this board, in that the vet may have referred to distemper (or another "puppy shot").

Here too, however, as stated: a sick dog is never vaccinated. A dog two weeks into recovery is not, IMO, a well dog, aside from all the other questions.

I would ask (so we know what we're talking about) whether the vet actually said parvo vax.

Thanks for all the thought put into this. I have left a message for friend to call me regarding 'which' vax.

I think she pretty much poohed poohed the idea of the vax anyway.

In my research when the pup first got sick, I found that parvo vax is given as a series of vax every few weeks due to having a "window of susceptibility". Most sites I read indicated that the pup has immunity from the mother for 12 - 16 weeks and when you vax during that time, the vaccine is ineffective as the dog already has immunities and can even sicken the dog.

This would be one explanation why pups contract and even die from parvo after they have been vaccinated.

She was very lucky in that she is very observant of her animals and caught this before the pup even had diarrhea.

In my research, I also found that some vets are treating parvo with Tamiflu. If caught early they think this medicine helps lessen the symptons.

She did not ask the vet if he utilized this medicine with parvo.

I am interested in the responses from her vet as he is also the same one that I use.

I will post back when I get the answer to "what" other puppy shot and also remind her that the pup is still recovering and should not receive any vax until completely recovered.

mike & connie,

i feel really good that "great minds think alike"--if you 2 concur on my initial response, i can't be TOO wrong

nora, updates would be much appreciated as you get them.

Update to the parvo vax.

Yes, they wanted to give the pup a vax for parvo, distemper and corona virus as well as the rabies two weeks later.

That is not a vet I personally would be going back to - why vac a pup for something it just got over?
and why vac a pup for anything this soon after illness, esp rabies? I may be missing something here, but something tells me no way...
I try and hold off on rabies as long as possible, and have it given alone - never with another shot. Not always practical, but I get a bit nervous giving that many all at once.

 Quote: Cameron Feathers

That is not a vet I personally would be going back to - why vac a pup for something it just got over?

I just wanted to say that, I wouldn't jump to this conclusion to fast. From the sounds of it, the veterinary would more then likely be giving a 5 in 1 vaccines rather then each individual shot. Reasoning is cost as you can get the 5 in 1 for around $15 but each individual shot can run about $7-$9. With this in tow, your dog will be getting vaccinated again for Parvo, but not as it's own vaccine.

Also, I too had a dog who contracted parvo, but as a 1 year old, and I didn't give him any other vaccine for it after that dirrectly. The thing is though usually if and when you get your dog it's 5 in 1 shot or 7 in 1 shot, you are automatically vaccinating for parvo already over again. I personally give my puppies vaccines, but not usually after that unless necessary. I also add an extra shot of the parvo vaccine after I finish the whole series just to be on the safe side and it works FOR ME. I haven't vaccinated any of my current adults recently. I just thought I'd throw this out there.

-Lamarr

 Quote: Lamarr Couttien

it works FOR ME.
-Lamarr

I guess, in the end, whatever works for you is all that matters...