sick puppy with no vaccinations, and letting him outside?

Question

We 1st go out puppy Charlie when he was 7 weeks, he got a very serious case of Mange(if he doesn’t recover we will have to put him down). We were told to cancel his vaccination appointment, because he will not be able to have his shots. We might not be able to get his shot for another month or more! We do not let him outside, I do take him for little walks, but I have him in a little pouch around my chest. He wants to go outside SOO bad, and we want to let him.. We are worried about him getting a complex about going outside, and trying to make a “break” for it every time we go for the door!(he doesn’t do it now but you can tell he gets so sad when we go out, and he cant come with us). I was wondering if anyone and any suggestions, on ways to get around it? We have though about getting him little shoes to keep his paws clean. Any Ideas on how to let him outside, with out truly letting him outside? We just want him to be happy! I know it seems like a stupid question. anything will help!

He was found alone, on a rainy day, at 5 weeks old. We adopted him!

Answer 1

I know it's really hard not to take your puppy outside yet. I'm sure you're dying to take him out, and he'll be excited to go out when he has a chance.

That said, I would advise that you wait.

The reason being, your young puppy is already very sick with mange and needs to be treated for that, before getting his puppy shots. You shouldn't expose him to any more of what's out there, because not only is his poor little immune system already overtaxed with his current illness, but it's also not ready or prepared to stand up to other diseases that are out there.

The reason vets recommend that puppies should have their two sets of puppy shots before being taken outside is that the vaccines build immunity, and "prime" the puppy's immune system. This is protection he previously got from his mother, through the mother's milk.

There is a lot out there that might harm a young puppy, especially if you live in a neighborhood that has a lot of dogs, and especially if you have a dog with an already compromised immune system. Ask yourself - is it better to bite the bullet and sit through things until he's been treated for mange and has had all his shots, and then let him outside - or let him have the joy of being outside now and risk him getting really sick?

I think you should wait.

However, that said - I don't see why your dog can't be "happy" while he still has to stay indoors. Make being indoors fun by doing a lot of stuff with him. Play with him, give him fun things to do, and such.

Answer 2

I am assuming the "Mange" your puppy has is demodex or puppy mange. If it is that bad then it is a generalized case (as opposed to localized) then your pup has a compromised immune system. Hopefully his immune system will kick in a response and he will be fine. It can take quite a while in any event to resolve itself. In the mean time you can let him outside but you have to be careful not to let him out where any other animal may have soiled. Many parasites and viruses are passed in feces. You don't want to expose him to anything that might make your situation worse. Keeping him close to home is the best. Even if he had his first set of shots at this age there would only a small possibility of immunity to canine viruses, about 5% by the book. It is usually the second or third shot that is effective. The shot has to punch through the immunity that he got from his mama at birth. At 5-6 weeks(time of first shots) it usually can not. By 12 weeks mama's immunity has worn off and the shot almost always works.
Most of the time Demodex resolves itself but in some cases there is a congenital problem and the dogs immune system is not what it should be. He is only 7 weeks old and there has hardly been enough time for a response to the meds or his immune system to kick in. It can take months to resolve completely. I have seen some pretty wicked cases of Demodex that got better in time. Don't give up and do let the puppy out in a safe area.

Answer 3

Do you have your own personal yard or just community ground at a neighborhood? Because while it is not NO risk your own yard is LOW risk. Especally if fenced to keep other dogs out (and him home)

Answer 4

Well, if you live near a beach, the diseases don't live in the salty sand..but, sadly, most people don't live at the beach..We take our puppies for rides in the car at every opportunity..and to visit relatives and friends with no dogs..the booties are a good idea, if you can keep them on him...lol
they also make doggy strollers you can get at pet supply shops, or online..They look like these> http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGGL,GGGL:2006-18,GGGL:en&q=dog%20stroller&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi
If you are able to go to the beach, just keep him away from other dogs and their poop.

Answer 5

i am sure the vet will agree that short periods with you on a leash sitting outside are fine