No - it's not yet at least but you're right Connie in that it could become one - I keep checking it and have printed out things I really need to remember.

Here in OK, I'm convinced that flies are big parvo carriers here. Fly lands on infected stool, flies over and dies in your dogs water dish, or crawls across their nose, etc. We firstly, try to plan our litters when there are no flies, but secondly, they stay INDOORS except for brief potty excursions, then back inside where they are screened in protected (and of course all the forgoing advice).


If the worst should happen and your pup does get sick, start Tamiflu, like immediately! Years ago we had a pup get sick and tested positive (of course, the first sign of lethargy, not eating he was off to the doc). This was a 14 week old. (This was about 8 years ago when that new strain (CPV 2-v I think it was called) hit the streets. He very nearly died before it was all said and done, but we immediately treated his sisters with Tamiflu, which had just hit the market and had been used in dogs only very experimentally. None of the other pups progressed past a day of not eating so great and a couple of soft stools. I am convinced it headed off the severe case Arian had. (WBC of <2000 for you other vet types) It must be started ASAP to get best results.

Here's a discussion of Parvo and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) ... http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_oseltamivir.html

"Recently, veterinary interest has turned to oseltamivir in the treatment of Canine Parvovirus, a life-threatening infection characterized by vomiting and bloody diarrhea. The jury is still out though many feel it represents a breakthrough in treatment."

The whole article is well worth reading.

Becky - thanks so much for writing about your experience and the use of Tamiflu - very good to know.

Connie, I will read that article in a little bit. I think I am doing all that I can do to make sure he doesn't get infected not that I think you mean that. But of course it's on my mind given he hasn't had his first shot yet .. he will be 8 weeks this weekend so that is when he is getting his first intentional owie lol

In saying that I am doing everything possible is true but I didn't think about checking his water - I don't leave it sit overnight but I fill up a big bowl as he is a voracious drinker. I will not let him drink again until I check his water. The flies are just beginning here.

Its a stressful time for puppy owners, but I really worry most in the time AFTER the first vacc and before the third. The first knocks out any remnant of maternal antibodies and you are just hoping/praying for their own to kick in and develop an immune response. It would be great if titers were more commonly run, then you'd KNOW. Of course, vaccine companies aren't at all supportive of titers because most often they reveal that their products are largely worthless in adult dogs. And since vaccines are the mainstay profit of most vet practices, they aren't, by and large, a receptive crowd to titers either!

 Quote: Becky Shilling

Its a stressful time for puppy owners, but I really worry most in the time AFTER the first vacc and before the third. The first knocks out any remnant of maternal antibodies and you are just hoping/praying for their own to kick in and develop an immune response. It would be great if titers were more commonly run, then you'd KNOW. Of course, vaccine companies aren't at all supportive of titers because most often they reveal that their products are largely worthless in adult dogs. And since vaccines are the mainstay profit of most vet practices, they aren't, by and large, a receptive crowd to titers either!

I don't really care if the vax manufacturers or some vet practices aren't a crowd that's receptive to titer testing.

It's my dog and my wallet and my decision.

I'm glad you brought that up.

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/an-inexpensive-tool-to-reduce-pet-vaccinations/

http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2008/10/22/titer-test/

Unfortunately, a lot of folks don't care to titer because....should the titer be low they will have to vaccinate anyway. And titers are NOT CHEAP. So they figure it is just more cost effective to just give the vaccine.

Did you see the new(ish) info here?

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/an-inexpensive-tool-to-reduce-pet-vaccinations/

THAT is going out to ALL our puppy owners IMMEDIATELY!!!


Thanks Connie!

The vets here haven't mentioned anything about that...nor have any of my dog owner friends. But I will look into it.