Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but it also comes with a lot of worry – especially about their health One of the biggest concerns many new dog parents have is about parvovirus (parvo), a potentially deadly disease that affects puppies most severely. If you’ve gotten your puppy their first two parvo shots, you might be wondering are they protected now? Can a dog still get parvo after 2 shots?
The short answer is yes, puppies can still get parvo after receiving two shots, though their risk is significantly reduced compared to unvaccinated puppies. Let’s dive into why this happens and what you can do to keep your furry friend safe.
Understanding Parvovirus and Why It’s So Dangerous
Before we talk about vaccines, it’s important to understand what we’re protecting against. Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that’s been affecting dogs since around 1970. It primarily attacks a dog’s gastrointestinal tract causing severe symptoms that can include
- Severe diarrhea (often bloody)
- Persistent vomiting
- Lethargy and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Bloated belly
- Drooling or excessive salivation
- White, grey, or pale gums
Parvo is especially dangerous for puppies under 6 months old because their immune systems are still developing Without prompt veterinary care, parvo can be fatal within days due to severe dehydration and damage to the intestines.
The virus is extremely resilient too – it can survive in the environment for months or even years, making it easy for puppies to pick up from contaminated areas.
How Parvo Vaccines Work
The parvo vaccine works by introducing a harmless piece of the parvovirus to your puppy’s body. This triggers their immune system to produce antibodies that can fight off the actual virus if they’re exposed to it later.
While studies show the vaccine is approximately 90% effective in preventing parvovirus infection when properly administered, no vaccine provides 100% protection. This is why we give puppies multiple shots – to build up their immunity gradually.
The Typical Vaccination Schedule
The standard vaccination schedule for puppies usually looks something like this:
| Age | Vaccination |
|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks | First parvo shot |
| 10-12 weeks | Second parvo shot |
| 14-16 weeks | Third parvo shot |
| 1 year | Booster shot |
| Every 3 years after | Maintenance boosters |
This schedule can vary slightly depending on your vet’s recommendations and your puppy’s specific needs.
Can a Dog Get Parvo After 2 Shots?
Now to answer our main question – yes, a puppy can still get parvo after receiving two shots. After two shots, your puppy has significant protection, but they’re not yet fully immune. Here’s why:
1. Incomplete Immunity Development
After two shots (typically given at 6-8 weeks and 10-12 weeks), puppies have developed some immunity, but it’s not complete. Most veterinarians, including the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), recommend that puppies receive a series of vaccinations with the final booster shot given around 16 weeks of age.
Studies suggest that puppies who have received two doses of the parvovirus vaccine have about a 70-80% chance of being protected, while those who complete the full series have a 90-95% chance of protection.
2. Maternal Antibody Interference
When puppies are born, they receive antibodies from their mother that protect them in their early weeks of life. These maternal antibodies gradually fade over time, but while they’re present, they can actually interfere with vaccine effectiveness.
The problem is, we don’t know exactly when these maternal antibodies disappear in each individual puppy – it could be as early as 6 weeks or as late as 16 weeks. This is why we give multiple vaccines – to catch that perfect window when maternal antibodies have faded but before the puppy is exposed to the actual virus.
3. Exposure to High Viral Loads
Even partially vaccinated puppies can become infected if they’re exposed to a large amount of the virus. If your puppy encounters an environment heavily contaminated with parvovirus, their developing immune system might be overwhelmed despite having had two shots.
4. Individual Immune Response Variation
Not every puppy will develop the same level of immunity from vaccination. Factors like overall health, nutrition, stress levels, and genetics can affect how well a puppy’s immune system responds to vaccines.
Protection Level After Two Parvo Shots
After receiving two parvo shots, your puppy has built up a moderate level of protection, but they’re still vulnerable. According to veterinary experts, puppies that receive two doses of the parvovirus vaccine have about a 70-80% protection rate against the disease, compared to the 90-95% protection rate for puppies that complete the full vaccination series.
I’ve seen this firsthand in my veterinary practice – puppies with only two shots sometimes still get parvo, especially if they’re exposed to heavily contaminated environments before their immunity is fully developed.
When Is My Puppy Fully Protected?
Your puppy is considered to have maximum protection against parvovirus about 1-2 weeks after they’ve received their final shot in the vaccination series (usually the one given at 16 weeks). At this point, their immune system has had time to fully respond to the vaccine and develop strong immunity.
However, even fully vaccinated dogs have a small chance (less than 1% according to the American Veterinary Medical Association) of contracting parvo if exposed to high concentrations of the virus or if they have an underlying health condition that affects their immune system.
Precautions to Take Even After Two Shots
Until your puppy has received their full series of vaccinations, it’s important to take the following precautions:
1. Limit Exposure to Other Dogs
Avoid taking your puppy to dog parks, pet stores, boarding facilities, or other places where many dogs gather until they’ve had their complete vaccination series.
2. Be Selective About Socialization
While socialization is important for puppies, be careful about who they meet. Only allow them to interact with fully vaccinated, healthy dogs in clean environments.
3. Avoid High-Risk Areas
Stay away from areas where parvo might be present, such as shelters, pet stores, and places with poor sanitation or where sick dogs may have been.
4. Practice Good Hygiene
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling other dogs
- Disinfect shoes that may have stepped in contaminated areas
- Clean food and water bowls regularly
- Use a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) to clean any potentially contaminated surfaces
5. Watch for Symptoms
Know the signs of parvo and contact your veterinarian immediately if your puppy shows any symptoms, regardless of their vaccination status.
The Bottom Line
While two parvo shots provide significant protection, they don’t guarantee complete immunity. Your puppy needs the full series of vaccinations to develop optimal protection against this dangerous disease.
Remember, the risk of parvo is much higher for unvaccinated puppies, so those two shots have definitely given your pup an advantage! Just be careful until they’ve completed their full vaccination schedule.
As one vet once told me, “It’s better to be a little too cautious than not cautious enough when it comes to parvo.” I couldn’t agree more – this is one disease where prevention is definitely better than treatment.
FAQ About Parvo and Vaccinations
How long after parvo shots is a puppy protected?
A puppy begins developing immunity within days after vaccination, but it takes approximately 1-2 weeks after the final shot in the series for maximum protection to develop.
Can a fully vaccinated dog get parvo?
Yes, though it’s rare. Even fully vaccinated dogs can occasionally contract parvo if they’re exposed to a high concentration of the virus or have immune system issues. However, the disease is typically less severe in vaccinated dogs.
Can my puppy go outside after 2 parvo shots?
Your puppy can go outside in your own yard or other controlled environments, but you should avoid dog parks, pet stores, and other high-traffic dog areas until they’ve completed their full vaccination series around 16 weeks of age.
How effective are parvo vaccines?
When administered properly and given as a complete series, parvo vaccines are about 90-95% effective in preventing infection. After just two shots, effectiveness is estimated to be around 70-80%.
What should I do if my partially vaccinated puppy may have been exposed to parvo?
Contact your veterinarian immediately. They may recommend monitoring your puppy closely for symptoms or taking preventive measures based on the level of exposure and your puppy’s vaccination status.
Remember, when it comes to parvo, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Complete your puppy’s vaccination series as recommended by your vet, and take precautions until they’re fully protected!
Vaccination advice for dogs
As vets and pet owners, one of the most important things we can do for our puppies and dogs is to make sure they are protected against infectious disease by vaccinating them. At their annual health check appointment, your vet will carry out a full physical health check and let you know what vaccinations they recommend your pet receives.
WHAT VACCINATIONS SHOULD MY DOG RECEIVE?
The vaccinations given to a dog will depend on their lifestyle and disease risk. Pets which travel, stay in a kennel, or attend classes, daycare or shows require more protection than pets which stay at home.
All dogs in the UK should be vaccinated against distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus, and leptospirosis. Dogs which attend daycare, classes, shows or kennels should be protected against kennel cough.
Dogs which travel require rabies vaccination (by law). If your dog also spends time in the Mediterranean region, you might wish to consider vaccination against leishmaniasis.