Two Vaccinated Puppies That Died With Vomiting and Bloody Diarrhea

We're very sorry for the loss of your two puppies. Yes, parvo is still possible after vaccination, especially in puppies. Antibodies from the mother's milk can block the vaccine for weeks or even a few months, and that's why puppies need a series of shots that continues until about 16 to 20 weeks of age. A puppy whose last shot was at 12 weeks may not have been fully protected yet. Sudden lethargy, poor appetite, vomiting, fever and bloody diarrhea, with two puppies affected days apart, fits parvo well.

Other causes that can look similar include canine distemper, other intestinal viruses, heavy hookworm or other parasite infections, bacterial infections such as Salmonella, and poisoning. Testing a stool sample for parvo, or a post-mortem examination, is the best way to confirm the cause, so it's worth asking about testing if this ever happens again.

To protect your other dogs, ask your vet to check that their vaccinations are up to date. Most vaccinated adult dogs are well protected, and a booster may be advised. Parvovirus can survive in the environment for up to a year and isn't killed by many common cleaners, so ask your vet which disinfectant to use on bowls, bedding and hard surfaces. Because the virus can linger for months, ask your vet how long to wait before bringing a new puppy home, and make sure any new puppy completes the full vaccine series.

See parvo in dogs and bloody diarrhea in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.