Scared To Death - Please Help!!!!!!

[pjackson]

I use my backyard to allow my 8 week old rottie pup to relieve herself. When I got her from the breeder on 2/14/03 she didn't receive her first set of shots yet. I had also noticed some other dogs in my yard which unfortunately isn't fenced in yet a week or so prior to me getting her. I posted a few thread and was told to not be alarmed as long as she doesn't come in contact with another dog or their droppings, and also pupps have their mothers immunity for up to 8 weeks. She had an appointment at the vey on 2/17/03 but was cancelled by them due to a bad snow storm we received here. Because I need an evening appointment her appointment won't be until tomorrow. I go home from work in the afternoon to take her out, feed her, and take her out again. It's been pretty easy to monitor whether or not any dogs have left anything in my yard because of the snow, but the snow is starting to melt. She is at the stage of exploring the trees grass, and what I thought today was mud, but it appears to be fecal matter from another dog. I immediately pulled her away from it, and took her in the house. I don't think she ate any, I think she only sniffed. I also pick up after her when she moves her bowels, and I also picked up what she sniffed. But I don't if any more is out there, which may very well be the case. I called the vet once I got back to the office, and alarmed told them what was going on. They said they'll check her out tomorrow, give her shots, and suggested I take in a feces sample. But as for parvo, which scares the hell out of me, it's a test they would have to send out for, but can take a while before it's detected. I learned some of the symptoms I need to look for, and I asked about any recent parvo cases, and she said there was none. I am so afraid, and don't know what to do. DO I not allow her to go out in the yard anymore? Is there something I can get to treat the yard to kill diseases, but are not harmful to her. Please somebody help. I am a vernous wreck.

[Judi W]

Don't spend your energy being an alarmist. If you have extra energy spend it patrolling your yard and cleaning up. It isn't like this is a big parvo season where you are and even if it were, every dog walking down the street is not a vector for disease.

[pjackson]

Hi Judi,

I am not trying to be an alarmist, but this is my baby, which I am sure you can understand. I didn't realize that a dog has to have parvo, for another dog to catch it. I thought it could be contracted from just exposure to urine or feces of another dog. But I am still concerned, but a little relieved becasue the dogs I see aren't stray they belong to someone, so I would hope there would be no problem. Also there aren't many stray dogs in my neighborhood, there are more cats than anything. As far as cleaning up my yard, due to the snow it's difficult to now where to clean. But I will clean it up as soon as I can. The snow has to melt first.

[Sheenagirl]

Snow - what is that? Just kidding.
I wouldn't worry too much at this point. Sounds like most of the dogs that have come into your yard are well.

Just be careful if you plan on taking your pup to a dog park. That can be dangerous for Rott pups who are more prone to parvo (this is something I would not do).

Just for your information regarding parvo - I understand that if a person has an infected dog - dog goes potty in yard - the virus can live in the ground for up to one year. I have been told that once a yard has been infected - no dog should come into contact with that soil for an extended period of time.

I understand what you are saying about your pup being your baby - there are quite a few of us here that feels the same way! :D

Just wait until your pup starts eating the cat poop - yuck!!! :D

[Judi W]

Basically, I was trying to tell you to relax. Yes, there are calculated risks in everything and no guarantees, however other than raising her in a bubble (not good for developing an imune system) she is going to be exposed to things here and there. Doesn't mean she can't catch something but that it is not high odds that she will. If the dogs are not strays what are they? Dogs that roam are strays. If they have owners contact the owners and let them know their dogs have "escaped" and were in your yard and that you almost called animal control because you thought they were strays............:)

[damp]

Pjackson

Here you would have to search for very long time to find a vet willing to give a pup any shots before the age of12 weeks old. That means our pups are not fully protected before around 4 months old.

Your vet will know if there is any epidemics of parvo, distemper etc. in your area. If not, it’s my belief, that many, many more pups/dogs dieing from overprotection (= lack of socialization) than parvo and distemper, at least where I live.

I take the risk to take my pups out in public, where I know people and their dogs and fence my yard so my pup can't get out (then other dogs can't came in)

Commond sence ;)

[Emme]

You could also put your pup on a leash and let him go in a clean area - a space that you blocked off or looked at before setting him down. When you play in the yard or are letting him investigate you should have him on a leash - especially since the area isn't fenced. :)

[sir rommel]

my vet said something earlier that might help you. Since we like to frequent a dog park close by that is approx 30 acres of fenced no leash running space, i asked early about the puppy(11 weeks) and going there. She said no because of the risks of parvo and other dogs, and that when they come in contact with feces from dogs not treated with shot/vaccines it is a huge risk. My bro-in-law who lives close has several dogs and i still wanted to socialize at an early age so i asked about that; She said since parvo is a concern where dogs are not treated with shots/vaccines and since she knew my bro-in-laws dogs had been treated, she said it was perfectly fine. So, before he had alot of his vaccinations we socialized him but were careful about how and with who. He has since been given the ok(now 7mos) by the veterinarian to go to the dog park and has been doing well. I hope this helps some in knowing what the right thing to do would be.

[qhawkins]

My parents' previous beagle (Katie) had parvo as a 14 wk old puppy. She survived and lived to be 15 yo. We got our first rottie when Katie was ~5 yo. We asked the vet if we needed to keep Thor away from Katie and he said there was no reason to do so. Thor spent lots of time at my folks house and in the yard and never contracted parvo. Also, Thor's mom lost her entire previous litter to parvo, Thor's litter was welped in the same place those puppies had been (BYB).

I think caution is in order since rotties are so prone to problems from parvo, but don't panic. I agree with damp that more pups die from poor socialization (which leads to "agression" problems later on) than do from parvo.