As a dog owner, I'm concerned for the well being of dogs. There is an infectious disease known as the Parvovirus in our environment. The virus interferes with a dogs health.

Your dog or puppy can get the virus if they are not vaccinated. A dog in your area may have the virus. If an infected dog comes into your yard, it will leave the virus in your yard. The virus is in their stool. To be safe don't let your unvaccinated puppy or young dog in your yard.  The Parvovirus can remain in your yard for at least a year.

If you had an infected dog or puppy in your house, use bleach and water on all surfaces. The disease can be on your shoes, carpet, pet toys, your clothes and anything else in your house. If something cannot be bleached, throw it away.

Puppies and dogs under a year old are more susceptible to the deadly disease. The virus will destory their stomach lining after it goes through their bloodstream. If you notice your puppy or dog has the virus, take it to the vet immediately. The sooner you get your puppy to the vet, the better chance the puppy has to survive.

A few months ago, I had a puppy that caught the virus. I knew something was wrong when she started vomiting, losing her appetite, refusing to drink her water and would just lay around the house. When it registered that she might the virus, I felt her head and sure enough, she had a high fever. From that point I decided to keep an eye on her when she went to bathroom. I noticed she had bloody diarrhea and I took to her the vet the next morning. Sadly, I didn't get her there soon enough.

Protecting Your Pets

Puppies get antibodies from their mother and cannot have a vaccine until they are six weeks old. The antibodies from the mother could interfere with the vaccination if you give the puppy the vaccine before they are six weeks.

The puppy will need a vaccination shot every three weeks. Their last three week vaccine is at eighteen weeks. From there they only need one once a year.