Don't Hesitate, VACCINATE!

"Maam, we have to be honest, your dog might not make it. This disease is extremely dog fatal, about 8/10 die regardless of care given." -If you haven't heard of this message from your vet, then read on.

Parvovirus is a common and deadly viral disease in puppies. It occurs mostly on litter that are unvaccinated, especially those that have been exposed to other dogs that carry the disease. While adult dogs seldom pass this illness, we have had experiences where the said happens.

As said, this virus is extremely fatal - if one litter member contracts it, chances are the entire litter is given the death sentence. This disease is most common during the rainy season, around July to September. Symptoms in include appetite loss, vomiting, progressing to bloody, foul odored diarrhea, severe dehydration, loss of body mass and eventually death.

Now that we know how it starts, how do we prevent it?

- When acquiring a new puppy, ensure that is is properly vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian. In case they still have no shots...

- DO NOT hesitate, VACCINATE, before it's TOO LATE. By about 6-8 weeks your puppy should get parvo vaccine, with boosters every after 3 weeks until 16 weeks.

- Limit your puppy's exposure to other dogs and public places such as parks, pet stores, etc., until your puppy is adequately vaccinated and/or the other dogs are vaccinated.

- When bringing an unvaccinated pet to the vet, avoid having your pet roam around. This is true not just for parvo but for other diseases .

- When you suspect your area has the virus, call your vet for proper disinfecting strategy/protocol.

-When working in places with high exposure to pet/animals, change clothing before coming in contact with your puppy. Parvo can live and attach to shoes, clothing, or any wearables.

-When your puppy shows any of the symptoms mentioned above, bring it to the vet ASAP. While fatal, proper veterinary care can slow the symptom progression and increase the chances of your pet surviving.

From a client standpoint, hearing that your pet may die is absolutely heartbreaking, but the same can also be said for the veterinarian fighting for your puppy - being fellow pet parents, we can truly empathize, especially if we are the one bringing you the bad news. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. For parvo, this saying goes hundredfold.

If you can, kindly share to other pet owners as FYI. Thanks!

#Parvo #Vaccinate #Dog #InPangasinan