HOW DO YOU SOCIALIZE AN UNVACCINATED PUPPY?
FROM DR. BRONWYN CHISHOLM
We all know that socializing a puppy through those early months is really key for their development. But then life gets tricky: What to do until 16 weeks (or ideally two weeks past their final set of puppy vaccines) when they are fully vaccinated?!
That is a common, and important question: Puppy’s (and kittens too) need to have their immune system primed by all three sets of vaccines to be fully protected from the common and deadly diseases such as parvo virus. And having treated parvo puppies who had received two but not the 3rd vaccine, I cannot stress the importance of caution enough. So how do you balance the need to socialize, with the importance of avoiding the awful diseases like parvo virus and distemper?
Seek out other dogs you know to be fully vaccinated – often friends and family have a pet who is up to date on vaccines, and so no risk of passing along parvo or distemper, and so they can be a wonderful “mentor” doggy or cat for the young ones. Avoid any areas where there are lots of dogs congregating, and unless you are confident that the dog in question has been fully vaccinated, don’t let your puppy have any close contact until your pup has received those final vaccines– During these months, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM FOR CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Our Beat the Heat Pet Prize Giveaway will kick off in March!
Valued at over $600, watch your emails & our social media channels for more information as the date draws closer!
