Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

Did I spread Parvo? When can I safely get another puppy after Parvo?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | French Mastiff | Male | unneutered | 3 months and 22 days old

On Dec 15th I lost my French Mastiff 50days because of Parvo Virus. Got rid of all his belongings and disinfected my house by mopping with 1:20 dilution of bleaching powder. A month later I pet my friends Labrador 7 months old for few minutes and came to know it was diagnosed with Parvo Virus 3-4 days after I pet him. My friend took him for walk on roads as well. Could it be that I transmitted the Virus. Though it survived but I'm feeling guilty. Planning to buy a GSD soon. Should I or not???

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 23rd, 2020

It is not likely you transferred the virus to your friend's dog. The virus will live long in the environment but not on you. If the dog was in your yard or house, then he could have picked it up there. Parvovirus can live up to a year in the outside environment. It is not a good idea to get another puppy now. You can get an older, vaccinated dog but not a puppy. I would wait a minimum of 6 months before you get another puppy but a year would be better/safer.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 13th, 2018

    Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Groot looks adorable. Parvovirus is a virus that usually shows up within 7-14 days of the virus being contracted. Also, it is a virus that can be vaccinated against, and the vaccine tends to work very well (99% effective). If you have had your puppy separate from the litter for 1 month, and if your puppy is vaccinated then you SHOULD be OK, however since the other puppies did get parvo, that means the mother likely wasn't vaccinated which puts your puppy at a much higher risk. I would recommend just being very careful with Groot (don't take him to dog parks or to stores or anywhere he can contact other dogs until he is fully vaccinated. At any sign of vomiting or diarrhea or lethargy get him into a vet right away! Best of luck with Groot!

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my puppy dies 3 weeks ago after vet treatment for parvo. I can adopt another puppy but am worried the other dog may get parvo all shots are up to date on new puppy? Please advise
Parvo can live for up to one year in the environment. I would not risk getting another puppy; an adult dog, yes. If you decide to get another puppy it is up to you but it would need to be FULLY vaccinated, meaning it is at least 4 months of age and has received 3-4 distemper/parvo vaccines at the proper intervals (3-4 weeks apart). Otherwise you are risking this new pups life.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 37 days old GSD pup died due to Parvovirus on 21st Feb'18. The vet I was consulting said that I shouldn't bring another puppy till next 2 months due to the virus. We've cleaned everything thoroughly, burried all her stuffed with her. Can I adopt
Black and tan dogs do seem to be more susceptible to parvo than others, but any young dog can get parvo. It is an aggressive virus that lives in the environment for a very long time. Bleach was surfaces you can to get rid of it. The main problem is the outside environment as it soaks In the soil and you cannot treat that. Parvo is spread through fecal/oral route. anywhere your last puppy went to the bathroom, is where the virus is most concentrated at. Waiting 2 months does not help eliminate the virus. It can affect older dogs but the disease is often not as severe due to their immune system. Vaccines in puppies can be started at 6 weeks of age and boostered every 2-3 weeks until 4 months of age. If you get a puppy closer to 9-10 weeks this would be safer as it will already have 2 sets of vaccines to help protect him in case it comes in contact with it. make sure you keep the new puppy away from the areas where the last puppy was until 4 months of age when the vaccines are c
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I recently moved in with a friend who's dogs once had parvovirus. The land was most likely infused with the virus. It has been over a year since any dog on the property has had parvo. I plan on getting an 8 week old puppy at the end of the month. Wou
The dog who survived parvo will shed the virus for 6 months. The virus under ideal circumstances can survive 1-2 years in the soil. If it has only been 1 year since the dog survived parvo, that means it only stopped shedding the virus 6 months ago. Which means the virus may still be active in the ground. I recommend to discuss this situation with a local veterinarian before you get the puppy. You may need to make an appointment and pay an office visit even if you don't yet have a pet unless you already have a good relationship with a local veterinarian. Veterinarians are very busy people so that's why you may need to make an appointment. It may not be safe to bring a puppy home to the yard for another 6-18 months. You don't want the puppy to get parvo. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I had my puppy die of parvo a couple of weeks ago. When would it be safe for me to get a new puppy? Or should I get a grown dog?
Hello. I am sorry about your puppy. Parvo-virus unfortunately is very good at surviving in the environment. I would recommend cleaning all surfaces of your house very well with a bleach solution to start with, and washing down with bleach any outdoor patios or gravel areas. Grass areas can be watered profusely, however parvo is able to survive freezing and over-wintering. In terms of getting another puppy, I would get a puppy that had a vaccinated mom, and a puppy that has a complete set of vaccines (has had all three vaccines, and at appropriate timing). Getting an older dog isn't a bad idea, just make sure that all vaccines were proper, as older dogs can get parvo-virus too if not vaccinated. Also, make sure you keep up to date with your new dog's vaccines especially in the first 5 years or so of life. Good luck with your next dog, and I am sorry about your previous puppy.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
hi i lost my dog to pravo this wheek can i replace him or not
I'm sorry to hear that you lost your dog to parvo. Parvovirus is very resistant and can live in the environment for up to a year despite attempts to properly disinfect the premises. Personally, I would not even consider taking another puppy/dog into that area for at least 6-8 months and that would only be after I have disinfected everything a couple of times and only brought a fully vaccinated puppy home. Fully vaccinated means that the puppy has had 3 sets of parvo vaccines at 3-4 week intervals starting at 8 weeks of age and ending at 4 months of age. This article has instructions on how to disinfect your home after parvovirus: ( https://www.thesprucepets.com/parvovirus-disinfecting-the-environment-of-parvo-3385003 ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi. We got a Golden Retriever puppy. After 24 hours with us he came down with parvo. The breeder took him back to care for him. He died a few days later. My question is...the breeder says she has 2 puppies left. One that also has parvo but survived a
I would not recommend to get the puppy who did not get Parvo. It’s possible that he may still break with this highly contagious virus. For the puppy that survived Parvo, he will likely be fine. Long term, most dogs experience no organ damage or side effects. This puppy is still shedding the Parvo virus and will continue to shed the virus for 6 months in it’s feces. The virus will live for roughly 1 year in the soil. That means you cannot take this puppy out in public where it may expose other puppies who are not vaccinated for at least 6 months. That also means your yard will be contaminated for at least 1.5 years minimum so you cannot have any dogs over to play who are not fully vaccinated or else they run the risk of contracting the virus. You don’t want to harm any other pets. He also cannot play with any dogs who are not fully vaccinated for 6 months. The vaccine is highly effective and it’s unlikely that a fully vaccinated pet will get sick (but keep in mind nothing is a 100% gua
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog just was cleared of parvo last wednesday. can my friends with dogs come to my house? to clarify, their dogs will not be at my house. I just want to know if its safe for the dog owners alone to be at my house without worry of their dogs getting
Parvo can live in the environment for years. Your puppy is still shedding the virus in small amount for up to 30 days in the stool l. As long as they do not walk through the contaminate areas then they will be fine. I would recommend making sure their pets are vaccinated to further protect them
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
I have a 11month old rottweiler that is all up to date on her shots and she is sometimes in and outside the house and our other female boxer just gave birth too 4 puppies that i am currently bottle feeding there 3weeks old can my female rottweiler gi
Parvo is spread through the feces of infected dogs. A dog who survives parvo will spread the virus for 6 months in the feces. The virus can survive for 1 year in the soil (though some estimates say 2 years). As long as Lady does not have parvo and no dog with parvo has come into your yard in the last year, you should be safe.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, My roommate's puppy had Parvo back in early August 2016. I am thinking about getting a dog and was wondering if it's okay to bring a puppy into the apartment now? We bleached the kitchen area and threw alway all the toys and bowls back in Au
The virus has a shorter lifespan indoors and can survive for about 2 months. If you have cleaned properly and it has been since august than it should be safe to get a puppy. Just make sure to have the puppy vaccinated prior to bringing home and follow the protocol as directed by your vet. Puppies should be vaccinated with a distemper/parvo starting around 6-8 weeks and every 3-4 weeks until 15 weeks of age.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How long does it take for the parvovirus to become unactive in a back yard after having a dog that died from parvo?
Sadly parvo virus is resilient in the environment and can live for years. Where ever your previous puppy went to the bathroom is where it is most concentrated. If it is a hard surface such as concrete, you can bleach the area to kill the virus. In soil and grassy areas, it is impossible to get rid of it completely. If you get a new puppy, get them vaccinated every 2-3 weeks and keep them indoors to protect them. After 3-4 sets of vaccines, they should be protected enough to start going outside.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored