If you’re planning a trip to a dog park or a walk around a crowded park with your new puppy, you might want to wait a few weeks. A Kansas State University veterinarian says taking your puppy out before it has been fully vaccinated for parvovirus could be deadly, especially at this time of year.

“Parvovirus — parvo — is a highly contagious virus thati s something we do see year-round because it is always in the environment, but the Veterinary Health Center has been seeing more cases recently,” said Susan Nelson, clinical associate professor of clinical sciences.

The increased number of cases is because the weather is nicer which is a better environment for the virus to survive, and owners are taking advantage of the warmer temperatures to take their pets outide and interact with other dogs. But owners may not realize their puppy is at risk of getting parvo until they are fully vaccinated, according to Nelson.

Nelson stated this a preventable disease so it’s improtant to get them to the veterinarians starting at about six to eight weeks of age for their first vaccine of what is commonly called the ‘puppy series.’ Then they will need to get the vaccine every three to four weeks, and get their final booster at about 14 to 16 weeks of age for the best chance of avoiding parvo and other diseases included in that vaccine series. Nelson added they are not considered fully protected until a few weeks after the final dose is received.

During the vaccination she says avoid city parks, dog parks, pet stores that allow animals inside, and any place with dogs of questionable vaccine status. One exception is puppy obedience classes. Socialization is critical at that time and the risk of parvovirus is much lower in those classes which require all dogs to be vaccinated.