As a puppy owner, I am sure you must have heard about parvovirus, how dangerous it is, how fast it kills, and so on.
Since you are reading this that means you are considering a parvo vaccination for your puppy but you don’t know if it is safe and you also want to have a wider knowledge about it.
In this post, we would be looking at important questions about parvo vaccination and I would be answering them.
Is parvo vaccination safe?
Yes, parvo vaccination is safe. Although most parvo vaccines contain small amounts of parvovirus which would enable your dog’s body to recognize and fight parvo, that amount cant make your dog sick.
How many parvo shots does a dog need?
Puppies mostly need three shots of the parvo vaccine before they can be considered safe from parvo.
The first shot should be between 6 to 8 weeks of age, the 2nd shot should be between 10 to 12 weeks and the third shot should be between 14 to 16 weeks.
Most time a booster shot is given after one year and you could also go after every three years for a booster shot but the most important are those first three shots.
Is parvo vaccine necessary for dogs?
Yes, the parvo vaccine is necessary for dogs because a lot of puppies die every month because of parvovirus.
This disease is very contagious so your puppy needs to be vaccinated, to prevent them from contracting it from other dogs.
There is a high possibility you may lose your puppy to parvo if you leave them unvaccinated because parvovirus is very common among puppies.
Can a vaccinated dog get parvo?
Yes, vaccinated dogs can get parvo but this is very rare.
This may be caused by a weak immune system and parvovirus has different strains and it also reinvents itself.
So, in case you notice any signs of parvo in your vaccinated dog, seek immediate treatment and don’t just assume it’s not parvo so you don’t endanger your puppy’s life.
What is the vaccine for parvo in dogs?
I am sure you would be curious to know what vaccine is given to dogs for parvo.
The vaccine for parvo in dogs is a combination injection called DA2PP or DHPP.
This vaccine is one of the most important vaccines given to dogs.
The DA2PP or DHPP works by introducing a little amount of weakened or inactive pathogens.
By doing so, the dog’s immune system would safely recognize and respond to those pathogens, this would train the immune system to combat real infection.
The American animal hospital associations (AAHA) 2022 canine vaccination guidelines consider this vaccine as a core vaccine.
This means the vaccine is recommended for all dogs except when there is a medical reason not to be vaccinated.
I recommend you always check the name of the vaccine just in case the vet accidentally picks the wrong vaccine, the little act of caution could save your dog’s life.
Can a puppy get parvo after two shots?
Yes, a puppy can get parvo after two shots. The ideal number of shots before a puppy is considered safe from parvo is 3 shots.
So if your puppy has had only one or two shots they could they could get parvovirus.
At what age is a dog safe from parvo?
Parvo could occur in all dogs but from experience dogs above when your dog is above 6 months old, you should worry less about parvo.
At what age do dogs stop getting parvo shots?
Between the ages of 14 – 16 weeks, your puppy should take the last shot of their essential three shots.
You can give your dog a booster shot after one year and a booster shot after every three years.
Can humans get parvo?
Yes, humans can get parvo but it’s not from dogs or cats. The type of parvovirus humans get is called parvovirus B19.
This type of parvovirus is only contracted by humans. It can be contracted through respiratory secretion, such as sputum, saliva nasal mucus, when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
This type of parvovirus could also spread through blood or blood products.
Parvo vaccine schedule
The first shot should be between the ages of 6 to 8 weeks, the second shot should be between the ages of 10 to 12 weeks, you should not wait more than 4 weeks for the next shot and the third shot should be between the 14 to 16.
A booster shot could be taken after one year and every three years after that.
Parvo vaccine cost
Parvo vaccine costs between 30 to 50 dollars depending on your location.
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