When is it safe to take my dog to the dog park?

[morningsting]

Originally Posted by PrincessDiana

It is a virus that attacks the intestinal lining. It's like the doggy equivalent of the flu except unlike humans, dogs do not know to keep themselves hydrated and healthy. They vomit and have diarrhea constantly, leaving them severely dehydrated. They usually need to be kept on IVs to keep their hydration and electrolyte levels up. There is no cure for parvo - they only thing that can be done is supportive therapy.

Wow, thanks so much for the information. I'm so sorry that your Yorkie had to go through that!

[melanie daley]

Before I got divorced I had a sharpei/akita mix... She got parvo.. She spent 3 weeks in hospital and was given a 20% chance of living... $5K later she made it! It was the most horrible thing I had ever been though with a dog & I was a mess!!!
Thats why it's SO important to make sure your yorkies get all of their shots BEFORE they are exposed to any other animals, or anywhere other animals have even been!!

[bchgirl]

Even a dog vaccinated against parvo....can catch parvo. A friend's two dobermans did. The yard was affected with it and his dogs came down with the disease. One worse than the other. He had to spray the entire yard down with bleach.

That aside...more than one of our city dog parks has been closed after it was discovered they were contaminated with parvo. The only requirement to use the park is proof of rabies. Nothing else.

My dogs are only socialized with other dogs whose histories I know.

I wouldn't take any puppy anywhere I wasn't certain of what dog had been there before.