Breeder won't release puppy after my dog had parvo. Is it justified?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'd be careful getting updates from the receptionist. They tend to not have any medical background or even the full story. I would call to ask to speak with the Vet who saw your dog or the practice owner or manager. Get the true story. Maybe they can tell you which shelter and if it wasn't expensive you can pay your bill. I doubt they had you sign paper work under false pretenses. We as vets don't want animals to suffer or die with out treatment. That is why we offer to take over their care at our own expense. There is a lot of emotional and compassion fatigue with in our profession and I can be 100% sure they did this to benefit your pet and not to purposely hurt or trick you. Good luck!

No one can guarantee you that the new puppies will not get parvo. Unfortunately, parvo is very hardy and will live in the environment for a long time. It is difficult to to kill. Unless you used bleach then you probably didn't kill the virus. Honestly, if you had posted before you got the new puppies we would have told you not to do it. We would have recommended that you not bring any dogs into the household until they have been fully vaccinated at the appropriate intervals - so that would be a minimum of a 16 week old puppy. Locking your puppies in the crate for months is cruel in my opinion and not recommended. They are at a critical period in their lives that they need space, interaction, handling, etc. Here is some information on parvo and the environment that may help to clarify things for you. ( https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/how-long-does-the-parvovirus-remain-in-the-environment.html ) ( https://www.clorox.com/dr-laundry/disinfecting-parvovirus-from-surfaces/ ) If you have more questions after reading this please feel free to post again and be as specific as possible. Best wishes.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There is evidence that once a dog has parvo they are protected for life. But I am hoping that your parents have vaccinated her since she was sick? The vaccine also gets distemper which is also contagious. If your parents have never vaccinated their dog I wouldn't bring Kona over there. Even if she is in the crate the virus is all over the house, where ever the dog went. If their dog is vaccinated then Kona should be fine there. I hope this helps!

You are correct in finding that your puppy was not vaccinated properly. When vaccines are given too close together the body is unable to produce an adequate immune response and therefore the dog will not have proper immunity. I am sorry that you are going through this with your dog. Once your dog recovers I would recommend restarting his vaccination series so you can ensure that he is properly immunized I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! 5 weeks is a bit young to leave her mother but if she is fully weaned it should be ok. We usually do not start vaccines until they are 7 weeks of age. Some breeders will give them a parvo vaccine at under 7 weeks. You should be fine until she gets her first vaccine but people with sick dogs or unvaccinated dogs shouldn't handle her and she needs to be kept away from all dogs. I hope this helps and good luck!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There is a fine line between being too over protective and not socializing the puppy enough. I think walks on side walks and NON dog parks are fine. I think playing with healthy (not recently sick or currently sick) and 100% vaccinated animals is also fine. I do not recommend boarding, doggie daycare or dog parks until 2 weeks after the puppy's final vaccinations. So yes I think it absolutely fine for your friend to visit. Humans can carry viruses. If it has been 2 months since her previous dog died of parvo it is likely safe. She should leave her shoes outside and have clean clothes on. Have her wash her hands before playing with your puppy. If she recently, with in 2 months, had a parvo infected dog that is still alive in her house I would not have her visit. Good luck!

Thank you for contracting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Sadie. No, I would not worry. To be honest, vets don't count vaccines when given at home by owners or breeders. This is because the vaccines are often given wrong, or stored improperly rendering the vaccine ineffective. Groomers and kennels won't accept vaccine records not done by a vet. Your vet is the only person who should give her vaccines. In addition, I see she is two months old. Puppies are not old enough for their first vaccines until they are 6-8 weeks of age. The vaccine is ineffective before that point due to the maternal antibodies present in their body. This is another reason why only vets should vaccines pets, as many lay people do not know this. I hope this helps!