Puppy Parvo Scare
By: Nora Hartfeil
Updated: May 21, 2012
This time of year, there's nothing a pooch loves more than running and playing outside. But now owners must be aware that there is a ruthless killer out there--the Parvo virus.
This deadly disease flares up in dogs' digestive tract and can even cause heart failure. Abilene resident, Jimmy McCoy is careful about bringing his dogs to the local dog park, "I don't have any concern with bringing my dogs to the park as long as they have been vaccinated for diseases. Then they will be protected against dogs that haven't...Especially in a place like this, where there are other dogs and you don't know if they have been vaccinated.
Veterinarians tell us the easiest way to prevent the disease is to simply make sure your dog remains on a proper immunization schedule, "Going to dog parks, or kennels that don't require vaccine records, or even PetSmart, where lots of dogs go in, potentially this virus is being moved around", says Dr. Elliss, Abilene Veterinary Clinic.
Pet owners realize it is their responsibility to make sure their dogs are up to date on their series of preventative shots. Don Grubb, dog park regular, says "The little things are pretty much dependent on you to take care of them, to wath over them, to make sure they're current on all their vaccinations".
You can get your dog vaccinated at any local vet clinic. Puppies can be receive shots starting at six weeks old.
