Member

Posts: 790
From:uk
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-04-2003 12:35 PM         

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WHERE DOES VIRUS COME FROM?

Remember that this virus has been around for nearly 20 years, is very hard to disinfect away, and is shed in large numbers by infected dogs. This means that there is virus everywhere: on every carpet, on every floor, in every yard and park. Virus is shed for the first two weeks or less after infection in the stool of an infected dog but only a tiny portion of infected stool (which could be months old depending on the environmental temperature and humidity) is needed to infect a non-immune dog. Some dogs become what is called "subclinically infected" which means they do not appear particularly sick. These animals tend not to be confined since no one knows they are infected thus they can spread virus around a large area depending on where they leave their droppings.

WHY ONLY PUPPIES?

The most important factors in parvovirus infection seem to be the immune experience the host (dog) has had with the virus plus the number of viral particles the host is exposed to. Twenty years ago when the virus was new, all dogs young and old were susceptible but now, because the virus is present everywhere, all dogs, even the unvaccinated ones, have at least some immunological experience with this virus. Any exposure no matter how small is likely to generate some antibodies. Also, vaccination is a widespread process nowadays and it is likely that a dog has had at least one vaccine at some point. Will these antibodies be enough for protection? In general, the answer seems to be yes as infection in dogs over age one is somewhat unusual. It is important to realize, however, that this observation should not be taken to mean that adult dogs should not continue their vaccinations. Even though infection is somewhat unusual in adult dogs, adult dogs should still continue their vaccinations as this is a life threatening disease for which treatment is expensive and no chances should be taken.

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Posts: 536
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 09-04-2003 11:15 PM         

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Vaccine protocols have and are changing. I do not agree with vaccinating healthy adult dogs for parvo. I have not done so for many years. My dogs have tested high in antibodies for the things most dogs are vaccinated for, therefore there is NO need for me to revaccinate. I mostly follow the vaccine protocol of Dr Jean Dodds DVM, which does not include vaccinating dogs over 1 year. http://www.listservice.net/wellpet/vaccines/dodds-schedule.htm Many of my fellow breeders follow this protocol with success. There are alternatives called Titers and nosodes which can be done annually to test the level of antibodies the dog has against parvo (and other viruses).

Pick up a copy of Catherine O'Driscolls book "What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccines", it can be a real eye opener. http://www.listservice.net/wellpet/vaccines/vaccines.htm There are health risks to vaccines. Dogs can still get sick even if they have been vaccinated! For those who read the link, there are many ailments that can be vaccine related that dog owners have mistakenly attributed to other things (poor diet, bad breeding, genetics etc...)

Dogs should ONLY EVER be vaccinated when they are in good health and never during illness, infection, pregnancy, estrus, surgery or time of stress as this things could affect the immune system.

One other thing to think about is that if an adult dogs is given the parvo vaccine they will be shedding the virus and if a new puppy is brought home it can pose a risk to that puppy.

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Member

Posts: 790
From:uk
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-05-2003 01:08 AM         

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your right there i do totaly agree i do however still get my dogs yearly booster mind you i must admit one of my dogs took really ill after his second injection and had to have a blood transfusion and everything it scared the heck out of me but as my vet says a pedigree is more likely to sucumb to viruses than a cross breed dog which i dont really agree with but they are the experts i guess lol

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