Let me give you some history on this puppy. She and two other sisters were living in a fecal covered garage for it's lifetime which is about 5 1/2 months. These dogs were not properly cared for because they were all skin and bones when I received them into my care. They had bloated stomaches as well which meant they probably had a bad case of worms. To my knowledge the dogs were never immunized or socialized and were very shy. The dogs were in my possession from a Saturday afternoon and given a bath. They encountered their first car and truck ride - 2 hours and a bath that day. Given Sol Jac 7 and dewormed on Tuesday morning, later on the same afternoon given a rabies shot. One dog started throwing up on Wednesday (3x) and the next day had watery stools. Thursday the dog was acting fine other than vomiting and continuing to have watery stools. Friday, the dog was lethargic and not eating as well as it had been in the past. Friday night, the dog was admitted into the animal hospital. Parvo test came back positive. All during this time, the rescue group believed the test was a false reading due to the immunization given on Tuesday.

The dog was tested for parvo because it had all the signs of parvo. The dog was immunized 3 days beforehand which included the parvo vaccination so of course it will show up positive.

Just because the president of the rescue group said the dog didn't have parvo doesn't mean it isn't so. She has a lot to lose if it is. How do you argue with a positive reading from a vet's office? I don't know this woman personally or her reputation. I really would like to have access to the dog's medical records and have it sent to my vet for a second opinion. The vet in Perry said it had parvo, the vet on call who did the initial diagnosis said it was parvo, so who do I believe? If it's not parvo, then what was the cause of the illness and what is there to hide? I really would like answers for piece of mind.

The breeder who I have been waiting for a litter to be born since February or March won't sell me a dog if parvo is really in my environment. If it's a real infestation, then I will wait a year and get a puppy later if that is what it takes.

I want to know so that I can make smart decisions in the future regarding the care of any animal I add to my household.

My personal advise is to not adopt this pup because of its history. I personally would far prefer a dog that was properly nourished and socialized. Others are more knowledgeble, perhaps more noble, but I wouldn't do it.

From sheltermedicine...Some vaccinated dogs may have a false-positive test, i.e. the virus in their feces is vaccine strain. The vaccine-positive result can happen within about 3-14 days of vaccination.

From http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/clinsci/wing/emcases/answer14.htm, colorado state vet school site,
CPV is most easily diagnosed with a fecal ELISA. However, if the test is negative and parvo is highly suspected, wait 48 hours and run the test again. The virus is not shed until after day 3 and so it may be too early to test the feces. Also, modified live CPV vaccines shed in the feces may give a false-positive result 4-10 days after vaccination. Make sure to have a good amount of feces when running the ELISA--watery stools may dilute the antigen and give a false-negative result. Conclusive proof of CPV infection, however, is made with electron microscopy.

What should you tell the client about cleaning the household environment?

Clean contaminated areas with bleach and allow a prolonged contact time. Vacuum all other surfaces (carpet, furniture). Wait at least a month before bringing a new pet into the house. It would be better if the new pet is an older puppy who has been properly vaccinated.
Regarding parvo vaccines, what is the recommended vaccination schedule for dogs?

Combination vaccines (parvo/distemper) should be given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age; boostered at 1 year old, then given every 3 years. Certain dog breeds are more susceptible to parvo infection than others, including rottweilers and dobermans. It is recommended that clients vaccinate at-risk breeds one more time at 20 weeks of age.

So they say clean the place well and the new pup hould be OK, especially if it is a bit older. Maybe the breeder would keep the dog a bit longer then usual and vaccinate?

This looks like a good link..http://lbah.com/canine/parvo.html Here they say,
If you had a dog die of parvo we recommend thorough cleaning with diluted bleach (1:30 with water, or 4 ounces of Clorox in a gallon of water) and waiting 1-2 months before introducing a new dog to the area. Spray the yard as best as possible with a hose and keep new dogs away from the area for 1-2 months. Never put bleach on your dog.
So again, wait only a few months after a careful cleaning. But read the whole link , it is good.

So false positives are seen, worms can increase the chances of contacting parvo, it is shed from vaccinated dogs starting on day 3 or 4 after vaccination. The CBC count is used as a separate tool, and I think this pup was tested? The pup was sick, with symptoms consistant with parvo and it had a positive parvo test, so it is not surprising that the vet diagnosed parvo. I am sure a sophisticated DNA-based assay could be used to differentiate between vaccine and field strains, but this is not going to be done.

I would ask the vet what is safe, and if the vet thinks the propery can be made safe for a new pup this year, ask the vet to talk to the breeder. I wouldn't worry about the rescue group, their opinion will mean nothing to the breeder. I am sure they do the best they can with limited resources, so don't be too upset with them, their job is to rescue dogs from the terrible conditions those pups were in.

Polly, thank you so much for responding. It was a lot of work. I appreciate your honest opinion about adopting the foster dog. I had already discussed in detail the pros and cons with my family and came to the same conclusion as you did.

I have talked to my vet one afternoon about my circumstances and he said go ahead and get the puppy because Parvo in GA is EVERYWHERE. If one thinks logically about what the vet said, I can bleach my yard, my floors and do everything in the world to make it safe, then go outside, walk in my front yard and come back in or even go to PetSmart and get it there. How do I know that parvo isn't already lurking in my front yard where I know the pups haven't been. People in the neighborhood walk their dogs around the neighborhood and who knows what any of them have done. People pick up the evidence.

All I can do is hope that I get a very healthy puppy with vaccinations that are current. I even suggested to the breeder whom I am waiting for a pup that I am willing to pay extra to have the pup titered so I can see how the immunity is doing. I don't want be paranoid about this because there is only so much one can do.

This sounds good, I am glad you should be able to get the dog you want. As for the local exposure, the vet knows the area best, but you can certainly minimize the risk by cleaning your own property, where you strongly suspect infection, and by limiting your pups exposure to strange dogs. Maybe you could soialize it with healthy immune adults in the first few months? PetSmart is not, after all, a required visit for a young pup. As far as the dog droppings in the neighborhood, my vet in NY said parvo lives longer on grass then on cement, and he recommended keeping him on the pavement before he had all his shots. Personally, I wouldn't worry about healthy adult dogs, I think they rarely carry Parvo, it is the pups that are susceptible (sp?). A recently immunized adult may shed vaccine, but I can't see that causing a problem for a healthy pup. Again, check with the vet.

Denise, I think many here would also suggest not taking your puppy to any of the "Pet Smart" type stores...you risk exposing your pup to every disease that any animal in that store might have or had to some degree. Why tempt fate when it's not necessary? I've bought a few things from a local store here in Houston but I never take Brenna. The feces and urine not to mention mud and dirt tracked in all over the entrance ways can't be avoided and most assuredly contain bad things for any puppy. Not to mention the hazards of dog fights in the store! I saw a little ankle biter who attacked a full grown GS! The shepherd, startled at being bitten, grabbed the other little dog and shook it like a rag doll. The GS was on a prong & leash...the ankle biter was on a leash, too, but came around a corner and ran right into the GS. The little dog's owner was threatening PSmart and the GS's owner with a lawsuit and a Vet's bill for not controlling the GS! Stores are for people...not dogs Good luck with your decision!!!

Well, my situation at this point is that the breeder is very leery of selling me a puppy because I told him all this upfront. So much for being honest.

My regular vet of 9 years and the vet who actually treated the puppy have totally different views on parvo. Each has a different practice. Mine said to get the puppy because you can't hide from it. Not sure what to do at this point. I am just torn about this whole situation. Time will be the deciding factor because the litter is due mid-August and I am at the mercy of the breeder.

I shop at PetSmart but have never taken my dog there in the past. It may be pet friendly but the potential risks far outweigh the benefits.

You were right to be honest, and should continue to do so in the future. Just offer to do whatever cleanup you can, see if the pup can stay with the breeder a little longer for an extra vaccine, and see if they agree. If not, you can look for another pup, after cleaning up, and being again honest about the sick pup with the new breederr. The longer you wait, the less chance of infection, it seems. The conflicting responses from the vets may reflect their experience, their training, even their temperment. So don't beat yourself up over this, just do the best you can.

I'm going to bleach everything I can. At least I know that I did the best I could and have piece of mind.

As i am new and dont want to tread on more experienced ppl here.. but i can say this from my very own experience just under 2 years ago.

I had a 13 month old bitch that was given to me, she was abandoned, that contracted parvo and one afternoon when i had come home she was limp and already bleeding from the mouth. mind you 3 hours prior i had taken her and a 6 month old puppy that i had to the park for a run and play. As she couoldn't walk i grapped a sheet and pulled her onto it and as i was getting her into the car blood oozed from her other end.. rushing to the vets she pretty much bleed all over their floor and the stench was horrifying. Sadly i lost her to much devostation.. i had to bleech the whole house (floors).. and yard as she had bleed in the yard.. had my 6 month old puppy ended up at the vets 2 weeks later but lucky for me he was fine.

However i wanted another puppy and was told all should be ok.. so i did i got my new puppy and when she had arrived 6 months later she wound up at the vets fighting for her life.. YEP Parvo Virus i was lucky this time as i caught it early with reading her signs from my previous experience.. from a bouncy puppy to a pup that went off her food and lost colour. she's now one year old with much happiness i may add. BUT i did move houses after this last incident.

Personally if you bleech all you can and the sun burns up most of it.. you should be right. i was told parvo virus is air bourne too which isn't much help. Aslo puppies/dogs in stress such as a change of environment can catch it easier as their immune will drop.. this is what i was told so please excuse me if i'm wrong. personally i would wait a little longer.. BUT at the same time it's difficult to say.

Good luck either way!
I pity anyone who lives through PV

Maxine, you are just as important as anybody else either a new or old member. We all learn through other people's experiences. That's why these forums are so important. In order for us to do good by our dogs, we need to have open minds and think outside the box because vets don't know everything. If we question the status quo maybe things will change.

I received an e-mail from the lady who has the dog and it is still under a vet's care. Since the dog has been in her possession, it had another parvo snap test, which came back negative, and has had a CBC test and everything was within the normal range.

Today's update is that the dog is feeling fine, still vomiting in the morning and sometimes in the evening. There is some diarrhea and now they are thinking EPI which stands for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Is that correct?

With new information given, I am still wondering if the dog really had parvo. When the dog left me, she was on canned food from the vet and had 1 very firm stool. I guess when she was taken off of it, she went downhill again. She had normal firm stools before the shots and deworming. This is mind boggling.

Was the initial parvo snap test a false positive because the dog had the live vaccine in her system from a shot 3 days before. Also, if the dog truly had parvo, wouldn't she still be shedding the virus 1-2 weeks after the first snap test giving the second test a positive reading?

I haven't done research on EPI yet but wondered if this is a viable explanation? More tests will be performed and as I learn more, I will pass it on here so we can all learn from this.