Can an adult dog get Parvo?

[lostshowfan86]

Just wondering because say you were down helping out at the shelter and some of the dogs came down with parvo, can you bring that home to your dogs? Your adult dogs?

And what precautions should be taken so not to bring the virus home? or to anywhere?

what are the chances an adult dog of about 2 years old could contract parvo? Thanks


My dogs are kept up to date on all shots, just wanted to add that


What about distemper? Does that just affect puppies

[lostshowfan86]

Also with Zacks immune system being bascially nonexistent (well its a lot better than it was and he is not getting sick nearly as much) should I limit my time at the shelter to just every once in awhile. I'm scared of bringing home something on my clothes or something that might make him sick.

(He only gets to have play dates with dogs we know due to not being 100%)

[Beanie]

Originally Posted by lostshowfan86

Just wondering because say you were down helping out at the shelter and some of the dogs came down with parvo, can you bring that home to your dogs? Your adult dogs?

You betcha.

And what precautions should be taken so not to bring the virus home? or to anywhere?

Bleach, bleach, and bleach some more. Wear different shoes in the shelter and take them off immediately after you exit the shelter. Try to avoid wearing your shoes into your home, or too far into your home, and clean your entryway with bleach frequently.

what are the chances an adult dog of about 2 years old could contract parvo?

I'd say the chances of a 2 year old adult dog who is vacc'd and not directly exposed to the disease - that is, going into a kennel where the disease is present or playing with an infected dog - contracting parvo are pretty slim... but it can still happen. Parvo also incubates for up to two weeks, I think, so that's kind of what makes it tricky.

What about distemper? Does that just affect puppies

Nope, it affects adults too. Again, it's worse for puppies, but adult dogs can definitely still get it, and about half that contract distemper die IIRC. I think it's like 3/4 for puppies?

[lostshowfan86]

Should I stop going down to the shelter? Is it too risky with Zacks immune system?

[grab01]

Has he come down with other illnesses that would show he has a low immune system? You could always have a titer done to show his immunity to those illnesses if you're worried.

Yes, adults can come down with parvo. It's usually unvaccinated adults. We recently treated a year old dog for Parvo that had never had any vaccines.

I work in a vet clinic, so I'm in contact with ickies all day. My dogs are all vaccinated (though we do the three year schedule once they're adults) and I'm generally not too worried about viruses, even with Ginger, who is prone to every intestinal ailment known to man. Grimmy even had Parvo..it's how I came to acquire him. (his owners couldn't afford his care and signed him over. He came home with me as he was finishing his antibiotics)

I bleach my shoes and use disinfectant as a general rule, even if I haven't knowingly touched anything with disease.

I'm far more paranoid about bringing skin issues home, though. Skin things creep me out

[lostshowfan86]

Zacks immune system was wiped out by all the antibiotics he was on. He was on some many for so long now he picks up the smallest sniffle. He seems to be doing better (glad I didn't listen to the vet about isolating him) but I still fear that If in contact with an illness like that he doesn't have what it takes to fight it off. (He was on antibiotics the whole first year of his life and by the end of that his immune system was shot. He had so many tummy problems as a pup and ended up with acute pancreatitis and so forth)

To me, honestly, I wouldn't worry as long as the dogs are up to date on their vax. My dogs have been at the shelters with me, and have been at work with me when I was a tech at my vet. Bo walked straight thru a pile of parvo poop one day, then slipped in it.

He's an adult though, up to date on vax, and never had a problem. My guys have come in direct contact with parvo, many many MANY times, and Corona as well. Annie had kennel cough when I brought her home, but none of my other guys contracted it. I also brought home Distemper on my clothes on two seperate occasions from Distemper puppies, and never had a problem.

But because my dogs come into contact with so much stuff, is the exact reason why I, personally, vaccinate them every year now instead of skipping years.

As long as your dogs are UTD on vax, I really wouldn't worry that much.

But to answer the original question, yes adult dogs (unvaccinated ones) can get things like Parvo, and yes it does live on your clothes and you can bring it home. I can't imagine how much I've brought home on my clothes and shoes over the years.

[lostshowfan86]

Okay but the point I think everyone is missing is Zacks immune system. Part of me wonders if even being vaccinated against the stuff will matter if he comes in contact with the virus and I'd hate for him to contract it and it be my fault.

It's fine I'm sure. If you're concerned, talk to the vet about it.

Sam has no immune system. It's shot and gone out the window. Sam cannot be vaccinated again, ever. He's allergic to everything, and many things deadly so. Everything, down to the cologne and hand lotions on someone's skin, or the fabric softener on their clothes, will cause an allergic reaction to him. Sam has broken out into hives and respiratory distress just because of drinking regular tap water in a different town.

And yet, Sam has not contracted anything, despite God knows what that's dragged into the house on my shoes.

If you're that concerned about volunteering at the shelter, and bringing it home to him, then re-think volunteering there. Or talk to your vet.

[grab01]

Originally Posted by lostshowfan86

Okay but the point I think everyone is missing is Zacks immune system. .

I did..which is why I suggested having him titered, which will show if he does have immunity to those diseases.

I assume you take him to parks and on walks..he's just as likely to pick things up there as you are to bring things home on your shoes.