Ask the vet: Illness may show problem with breeder

Q: As a follow up to your recent column on treating parvo, I'mwondering what the long-term effects are for the puppy that survivesparvo. We purchased a Sealyham Terrier puppy. A week ago - two weeksbefore we were to receive him at 4 1/2 months of age - he contractedparvo. Unfortunately, his sister did not make it, but he came homefrom the vet today. He isn't 100 percent yet, but as he continues toeat on his own, we are hopeful that he will make a full recovery.

The breeder has said that if we have any qualms about taking him,we can have a pup from the next litter. While we have our heart seton this little guy, we're wondering what the long-term effects mightbe from his having parvo.

A: Well, there are a few things that just scream at me when I readyour question. One, - and probably the most important one - is whatis a 4 1/2-month-old purebred Terrier from a Terrier breeder doingcontracting parvo? That is a little late to be stricken with thevirus, considering most breeders start vaccinating for parvo andother puppy viruses at 6 to 8 weeks of age and then give boostersmonthly for three to four months.

Along those same lines, if the breeder had two puppies in thekennel come down with parvo, there is a very real chance that it isstill in that environment. It would not be a far stretch to inferthat other puppies from that kennel also have been exposed to parvoand could become ill with parvo. I would not accept another dog fromthis kennel.

The red flags are flying all over this situation. If you acceptthis puppy, you must understand that he will continue to shed thevirus in his feces for several weeks at your house. There arediffering amounts of time reported in the literature from weeks tomonths, so I cannot tell you how long exactly, but it is safe toassume some level of virus will be shed in your environment for sometime by this puppy even though he is clinically normal. This is fineas long as there are no unvaccinated puppies in or visiting your yardfor a few months.

My arms are getting tired, so let me stop waving my flags for aminute; I'm happy to report that once a puppy has survived parvo, hewill not get the virus again. Also, if he survives, he will not haveany long-term damage to his internal organs. So your puppy can go onto live a normal life with your common puppy issues like other dogs.I would wait for one to two months after he is stable to startvaccinating him to allow his immune system to recover fully and beable to respond appropriately to the vaccines.

I promise this is my last red flag. I must go back to the breeder.If you have a breeder whose vaccination protocol has failed a 4 1/2-month-old puppy and a littermate, you need to ask yourself, is thisthe breeder I want to use? Are there going to be other vaccinefailures? Should I worry about my puppy contracting distemper andother viruses in a puppy vaccine? Have they bred good, sound dogs?Have they bred for good body structure? Have they bred for goodtemperaments or do they even consider temperament a factor? Have theywormed these dogs? Are these puppies reasonably priced?

Normally, I am not a big fan of using the Internet to findanimals, but do some research with other Sealyham breeders. You needto be sure that you are dealing with a good breeder and that you aregetting your value out of this puppy. I know your heart is set ongiving this little one a good home and I'm sure he needs it. Justmake sure it is the best puppy for your family.

There are lots of cute little guys that need homes out there. Ifyou arm yourself with information and preparation, the correctdecision becomes obvious.

Send questions for Dr. Allison Dascoli to "Ask the Vet,"Charleston Daily Mail, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston WV 25301 or e-mail them to askthevet@dailymail.com. Comments or suggestions can besubmitted the same way.