Parvo, more formally known as canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), is a serious viral illness that affects the gastrointestinal tracts of puppies and dogs. The DHLPP combination vaccine helps canines develop immunity to parvovirus and four other infectious diseases.
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Mother's Milk
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Very young puppies obtain some natural immunity from parvovirus as they drink their mother's milk. After that, they depend on immunizations to develop and maintain an effective antibody level against parvovirus.
Immunization Schedule
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Care Pets provides a sample immunization schedule for puppies that includes DHLPP shots at six to eight weeks, 11 to 12 weeks, and 15 to 16 weeks. For adult dogs, the DHLPP vaccine should be given annually.
Considerations
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Even when a puppy is vaccinated early against parvovirus, the immunity he receives from his mother can prevent him from developing sufficient antibodies to ward off the virus, leaving him vulnerable to the infection.
Expert Insight
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According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA), all puppies should receive a parvovirus vaccination between the ages of 14 and 16 weeks, regardless of whether they've had the vaccine earlier, to ensure full protection.
Herd Immunity
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Since puppies younger than four months of age have not yet developed full immunity to parvovirus, they rely on the herd immunity bestowed when dogs around them are properly immunized.
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