Parvo/distemper dormant in dog?

[exors]

hope you all can help me out with this...

Is it possible for a dog to be immune to parvo/distemper and yet still carry the virus in him, and when he meets other dogs pass it on to them?

Troy, my dog had been vaccinated, all 3 vaccinations and I got another dog (4 months back) but within about a week she got sick and showed all the signs of distemper. Previously when I got Troy, my other dog Max, which had been with us for 6yrs, died of the same problem within about 2 weeks of mixing with Troy, it started with kennel cough first.

So the problem now is I am thingking of getting another dog so that Troy can play with as well, but I am just worried that if it is dormant in Troy (parvo/distermper) then the new dog might get it too... I have waited for about 4months and cleaned up the place with clorox last time...

do let me know thanx...

[Athebeau]

First, were these dogs actually diagnosed with either Distemper or Parvovirus? These are 2 seperate diseases, were these pups taken to the Vet as soon as you saw symptoms of illness?

Here is an article on Parvo3
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1556&articleid=467
Here is an article on Distemper
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1556&articleid=419

Previously when I got Troy, my other dog Max, which had been with us for 6yrs, died of the same problem within about 2 weeks of mixing with Troy, it started with kennel cough first.
Max was 6 years old then came into contact with Troy and got ill and died? What was he diagnosed with? normally with Parvo there is a window of opportunity in Pups when they loose maternal antibodies up to the time they receive vaccination. With Distemper the vaccine is normally very effective.

You mentioned you used Clorox Bleach, when you prepare the bleach dilute 1:32 and it must be left on contaminated surfaces for 20 minutes before being rinsed.

This is a question you should discuss with your Vet...or did these dogs even see a Vet when they became ill.

[exors]

yup they saw a vet and it was distemper...

but I wanted to know if it could be the same with parvo as well...

both died of distemper...

I am quite confused as the vet that i took max to said no distemper wont stay in a dog, but the other dog (hailey), I took her to a different vet and he said yes distemper can stay dormant in a dog... :confused:

hailey had already had her 1st vaccination before getting into contact with troy...

[mojozen]

You might just want to do some research on your own - Google! - if you are getting conflicting views. That's how i have found out much about dogs over the last few years... I research pretty much everything to the best of my ability.

[lpollockandrsn]

As far as I know, neither one lay dormant in a dog. It isn't something they 'carry' like leukemia in cats. Though they can pass recent exposure.

Was Hailey vaccinated every year, were her shots current?

Was Troy a vaccinated adult when you got him, do you know? He may have been exposed and brought it home with him but had a better resistance at the time.

Since the new dog got it so soon, I would say the exposure was probably before you got her. Where are you getting the pups?

Is there a high incidence of distemper in your area?

Both viruses are very dangerous. Make sure you have the puppy examined before you bring it home, and even then keep in mind incubation can take 7-14 days depending on the virus before you see symptoms.

I would be more worried about what you are exposing Troy to than what he may pass on to a new pup assuming he is healthy.

You are right to disinfect anything you can and throw out what you can't clean effectively. The 1part bleach to 32parts water is great, also good old sunshine is very helpful too. Be wary that viruses can 'live' pretty well in shady areas so try to treat there as well if you can.

[bubbatd]

I agree there seems to be some confusion here. Help us out e.g. the 6 year olds shots.

[exors]

I brought Troy home when he was about 6 weeks old and he had his 1st vaccination already...

Max missed his vaccination by 3 weeks...

Hailey a friend of mine had given to me, she was 4 months old at that time and had her 1st vaccination.

Hailey was give to me about 1-2 weeks after max died, so I am guessing she must have got it from whatever that was left around including fecal matter?

I am assuming that Troy had quite a high resistance towards distemper (eventhough he only had 1 shot so far) for him not to get it. Although I did seperate Troy from Max and Hailey.

So finally now after 4 months I am decideing to get another dog, so it is not possible for distemper to remain in the dog and the dog immune in it?


Is there a high incidence of distemper in your area?


No there isnt first time actually I am seeing a dog that got it...

[exors]

by the way Max and Hailey both had thick discharge from the eyes and nose, they even started moving their mouth as if chewing bubble gum...

It started with coughing first though with Max, and Hailey had pneumonia.

That is distemper isnt it.

[bubbatd]

I have no clue with all dogs being up on their shots ! I'd really check into it with a vet .

[lpollockandrsn]

It sure sounds like distemper but I would check with the vet as to what is safe to do.

No I don't think it can lay dormant in the dog without him being sick, but he can pass exposure if it was recent. And it can live in the environment for months in shady areas.

I am still not sure how old Troy is and whether his shots are current, and how long since his exposure has been. But your safest bet is to discuss it with the vet who is most familiar with your dogs.

[Brattina88]

My coworker's Pug just died like last week :(
The vet really ripped into her when she brought her dog in and he diagnosed her with parvo. After attempting to treat or w/e the little pug died. A necropsy was performed and it turns out she didn't have parvo, and that it was something similar to the dog flu we've been hearing about. I don't understand how or why or what :confused: She got the call at work and I was with her while she was talking to him on the phone and I don't understand how this kind of mistake happened because she later showed me the proof of vaccinations that the vet told her wasnt utd, but on the paper clearly they are...?
She's terrified because her 1 outside dog and her boyfriends dog is starting to to act sick, the others seem perfectly fine, and I don't even want to go to her house and rish exposing my dogs, because the information on how either is spread contradics itself :confused:

[Zoom]

I read something in my new issues of PawPrints that vets are starting to use Tamiflu to help treat the canine flu. Ask about that.

To the thread starter: are you disinfecting EVERYWHERE the infected dogs may have walked? This means all grass, any surface in the house, your shoes, your car...

[exors]

well its been about 4 months now since hailey dies and im sure that is a long enough time right?

Troy has been running around eveywhere on the grass to under the car and hes fine, although he has had all 3 shots...

so do you guys think it is safe to bring in a new dog now...

so distemper cant be dormant in a dog than god for that...

thanx for the answers and help guys...

[Rubylove]

I would still be going over all three dogs' history with a vet, have Troy thoroughly vet-checked and talk to the same vet about whether its safe to get another pup. A vet local to you and in your area, able to talk to you face-to-face, will be able to give you much sounder advice than people here who are only hearing a little of your story. I think in a situation where you have had two dogs tragically die, that you should thoroughly check the whole thing out with a vet before you consider getting another puppy. I would also consider getting a dog that is a little older, and already has had all of its shots so there is no chance of it picking something up from being unvaccinated.