At what age is a dog safe from parvo?

Puppies under the age of four months old as well as dogs of any age that have not been vaccinated are at high risk of contracting this contagious disease. Puppies are especially prone to contracting this infectious virus, and it is one of the leading reasons for death in dogs under 4 months old. Preventative parvovirus vaccinations for dogs are recommended between the ages of 6 to 16 weeks. The answer to this important question is, yes they can. Even adult dogs that have been vaccinated must have their shots kept up to date because antibody levels can change, meaning that your dog may not be protected if vaccines are allowed to lapse. Current guidelines recommend that dogs be immunized against the parvovirus every three years. Puppies acquire natural immunity from the mother’s milk, but it can wear off before the antibodies from the parvovirus vaccine are in place.

Puppies aged six weeks to six months and unvaccinated dogs are most at risk. Puppies go downhill very quickly because the symptoms caused by parvovirus make them very weak, and mean their immune systems have to work very hard to fight the disease. Youngsters between six weeks and six months old are also more susceptible to secondary infections, or they may die from dehydration. Parvo can be deadly, so it's essential for dogs and puppies to be vaccinated against parvovirus from the age of six weeks. Puppies need a course of vaccines to protect them against parvovirus. Adult dogs need booster vaccinations throughout their lifetime. The time between boosters can vary depending on the brand of vaccine given, so check with your vet about how often your dog needs to receive a booster.