Puppies grow and develop in stages throughout their first year of life. Knowing what your puppy needs week by week is important to ensuring a happy, healthy dog.
What is Parvo?
The short answer: Parvo in puppies is very serious. It’s a deadly disease that is easily preventable. Parvo strikes young puppies who’ve not been vaccinated. Key point: get parvo shots for your puppy. Now.
Parvo Is Short for Parvovirus…
It’s a small virus that first appeared in the 1970s. It’s transmitted from dog to dog through feces and vomit. Puppies are at the greatest risk for getting Parvo. The risk reduces as a dog gets older.
Here are Parvo’s symptoms:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
Important Note: ANY vomiting puppy should be tested for Parvo. Contact your veterinarian with your concerns.
Can Parvo Be Prevented?
Here’s the good news: Yes, Parvo can be prevented.
There is an inexpensive vaccine that is readily available. Puppy shots are given beginning when your puppy is 6-8 weeks of age. Parvo puppy shots are repeated every 2-3 weeks usually until puppy is 4 months old. Note: Bigger breeds like Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and Pit Bulls are more at risk for Parvo. So they will need to be given shots until they reach 6 months of age. Click here to learn about puppy shots.
Prevention Is the Key
Treating puppy Parvo can be very expensive: anywhere from $800 to $3000. And the treatment may not be successful.
Puppy Parvo shots are, by comparison, inexpensive. Bottom line: If your puppy hasn’t been vaccinated, don’t wait. Contact your veterinarian and get puppy vaccinated.
