10/05/2025
Salamat doc
LOST A PUPPY TO PARVO? HERE’S WHAT NOT TO DO NEXT
Hands up, please, sa lahat ng namatayan ng puppy dahil sa Parvo. Or if you haven’t (and I hope you never do), keep reading if you're planning to get a new pup anytime soon.
Losing a puppy to parvo is heartbreaking. Yup, one minute you’re falling in love with this lovely tiny Shih Tzu, the next, you see bloody diarrhea, nonstop vomiting, lethargy, and that awful moment when your puppy either fades away at home or doesn’t make it at the clinic. It’s a nightmare and as a vet, I see it more often than I’d like.
We do everything we can to save them, and we understand your pain. Some pet owners take months or even years before they’re ready to love again. But others, in their eagerness to fill that void, make the WORST POSSIBLE NEXT MOVE: THEY GET A NEW PUPPY RIGHT AWAY.
I get it. You miss the cuddles like how you miss your ex. Ahemmm! But here’s the thing: parvo is not just gone when your puppy is. That virus is a clingy ex that sticks around. (Tag your ex ug isog mo) 😛😏
I’ve seen way too many cases where a newly adopted puppy ends up infected after moving into a house where a parvo-positive pup just died. Sayang. Avoidable. Traumatic ulit. 😒
So, when can you safely bring in a new pup?
Short answer: Wait at least 1 YEAR.
Yep. 12 months is the safest window to let the virus die off naturally in your home. Parvo particles are stubborn and can survive for months, especially in warm, humid environments (Anuna, Philippines?).
But wait, there’s more!
While you wait, do a deep clean:
Disinfect everything the previous pup touched with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 30 parts water).
Clean all crates, food and water bowls, floors, etc.
Discard the old toys, leashes, and bedding.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking:
“Pero doc, matigas ulo ko eh. I need a new puppy now! Gusto ko na ulit makipagpatintero kay kamatayan!”
LOL okay... but please listen up.. 😁
If you really can’t wait, then only get a fully vaccinated puppy, preferably at least 16 weeks old, looking healthy, active, and with verified vaccination records.
Check the vaccine card. Look for the vet's name, signature, and clinic. Don’t fall for DIY vaccine jobs from breeders who act like honorary veterinarians just because they watched a YouTube video.
We don’t hate breeders, I promise. But we do get frustrated with the shady ones who risk lives for more money.
So please, be careful. Be thorough. And don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Sometimes, I feel like Bobbie from Four Sisters and a Wedding at the clinic... “Pero bakit parang galit ka? Pero bakit parang kasalanan ko?” Charot lang.
But really, this is me trying to protect you, your future pup, and your heart.
Okay na? Good talk.