Risk for unvaccinated pups?

[Vancouver]

Hello,

I live in an apartment building in which most of the residents have dogs. None of us have any outdoor space apart from outdoor balconies, so the front grass area is generally where everyone seems to go to allow their dogs to eliminate. We will be getting an 8 week old puppy soon, and she will only have her first set of shots. Everything I've read says to avoid areas in which other dogs may have eliminated until puppies have completed their vaccinations. Our neighbourhood is full of apartmentment buildings and full of dogs, so there aren't really any grassy areas around that haven't had tonnes of dogs on them.

Is the risk high enough to warrant coming up with some sort of temporary setup on the balcony? I hesitate to do that -- both because I worry that it will set back housebreaking and because I kind of think it's gross, but I'll come up with something if necessary.

Thanks!

[DJEtzel]

The risk IS high enough. Parvo is a fairly common, possibly fatal disease in most cities.

[Konotashi]

If it's anything like the apartment complex I used to live in (and many I've seen/been to), the grass areas are very small for so many dogs.
So I would vote with setting something up on the balcony. Maybe puppy pads or even that potty patch thing.

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[ladyfreckles]

Here in Seattle the parvo risk is relatively low, though vets still don't recommend going to places like dog parks and the like. Quite a few dogs walk past my house from around the neighborhood. I'd try to set up some grass on the balcony for the pup to use until the vaccines are done with. Call around to different vets and ask what's been going around. Also remember that vaccines can take up to a week to be effective.

[crackem]

I'd just be taking my pup outside myself. From 8 weeks on they go everywhere with me.

[shaner]

If they're are regular parvo outbreaks in your area, you may want to do the balcony thing. In most areas here in Canada, parvo is becoming fairly rare. It used to be more common, but with proper vaccinations, it's becoming more rare every year. The vets in my area rarely ever see a case of parvo, so for me, it's not something I worry about. I don't go to dog parks, but otherwise, I took my 8 week old pup Titan everywhere with me. He's now going on 15 weeks and is perfectly healthy.

I would give some of your local vets a call and ask about the parvo rates in the area. If uncommon, I wouldn't worry about it.

[dawnandjr]

Also, look up things about over vaccinating, and the best time to vaccinate. Dr. Dodds has done a lot of research on this. I would go the balcony route for now. Once your pup is old enough, you will easily be able to transition to the outside grass area. It might work quite well if you have a sliding glass door to the balcony and could put a dog door in it. I raise my pups with shavings in a doggie litter box. They potty train quite easily.

[Vancouver]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll sort something out on the balcony for now. The grassy area is very small and there are a lot of dogs in the neighbourhood. Parvo is fairly rare here, but there are enough instances of it to make me a little nervous. Plus, now I wont have to climb up and down a flight of stairs 20 times a day. We do plan to take the puppy out and about before her vaccinations are complete, but I think I'll avoid the front grass for now.

Thanks again!