[Yorkie3]

That is the headline in tonights paper.

There is a picture of our Vet and Vet Tech on the front page. In part, it says that over the past two weeks my Vet has seen 11 cases of canine parvovirus in area dogs, two of which eventually died.

Although he believes this represents a drastic rise in the infection rate, a common factor has been present in all the cases: The dogs have not been vaccinated against CPV. All 11 cases have been puppies. He said it is a 'hearty' virus that can survive for long periods of time and can be transmitted through contact with infected dogs and contaminated objects, such as play toys. The vaccine works very well and that is the key...to vaccinate.

Some of the blame for the outbreak can be attriburted to pet owner's lack of education. Six weeks is not too young to have a puppy vaccinated, he said, stressing that treatment from sources other than a licensed veterinarian shoud be avoided.

One of the dogs recently diagnosed with CPV had been vaccinated with products not administered by a veterinarian. "Some of them are the same as giving an injection of water," he said. You must be very careful where you get the vaccines.

In addition to the heartache caused by the sickness or loss of a pet, CPV can also bring with it expensive treatments. Vaccines are considerably less.

That was the jest of the article. I guess now they know exactly why my dogs are not allowed on the floor, the scales or the exam table unless I see for myself that they have been sterilized. They always accomodate me while the other patients owners just look at me like I'm nuts. I just don't take chances.

Now I'm afraid to take them anywhere even though they have been vaccinated. Why does this have to happen at all!