I just took in a 4 month old puppy who hasn't had any shots yet, is not on flea/tick medication, or heartworm protection. I have two other dogs who are current on everything. Is it safe for the dogs to be together until I can get shots for the puppy ASAP? Is there a chance that the puppy can catch something the other two bring in? Is there any risk to my two dogs?
2007-06-10 12:26:59 · 9 answers · asked by questionasker 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It would be best to keep them separate until you get the pup to the vet, especially if you do not know the history of the puppy.
Biggest risks to your dogs from the puppy: Parasites, either internal (like hookworms or roundworms) or external (like fleas, ticks, mange or ear mites). Both the worms and the mites could be difficult for you to detect unless the problem had gotten very severe. Given these are very treatable conditions, but it would be better just to avoid it all together.
If your dogs are healthy and up to date on all vaccines, then the puppy is not really at any risk from your dogs aside from being put in it's place in the pack.
Best of luck with your new family member!
btw- If this is a stray, be sure you contact Animal Control and the local shelters...even if the pup looks rough, you have to consider that it could have a family out there looking for it, and you don't make an effort to find them you could be legally liable for the theft of the dog.
2007-06-10 13:26:05 · answer #1 · answered by courageouschic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's rather unlikely that anything will go wrong. Heartworms is not so common that in the small amount of time before the puppy is vaccinated it will get infected. And, if you haven't seen any fleas or ticks around (even if your dogs ARE on medication), they probably won't bother her. There's no real risk to your other two dogs.
I don't see it as something to worry about too much :-).
2007-06-10 12:34:09 · answer #2 · answered by ilykpirates 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Parvo can live in the ground for 7 years or more. Your new puppy should have it's first vaccine now! Frontline and give worm medicine now as well. This should give all the dogs some protection until you can complete the series of vaccines on your new pup. I would say there is always a risk in a situation like this but your vet is the best person to ask. He or she can give you the answers you really need. Good luck!
2007-06-10 12:35:32 · answer #3 · answered by Native Spirit 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
there really isn't much risk to the dogs you have -- if nothing is apparent in the puppy then there isn't much your dogs can catch from it. if the puppy were rabid or something it would be obvious.
for the puppys health you want to get him to the vet though.
2007-06-10 12:49:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
well i think im forgetting something but thats probably just me but an unvaccinated dog should be safe around the dogs unless it catches something itself the other dogs cant give it anything cuz they dont have anything (more or less) so yea....im still not sure if im forgetting something but this is the best i can remember sorry
2007-06-10 12:32:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
the most risk is to teh unvaccinated pup.
Your other dogs could be carriers of someething.
Just try to get teh pup to the vets tomorrow.
Good luck
Probaly not muchto worry about if you get to teh ets vey soon
2007-06-10 12:31:25 · answer #6 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends. If the dogs are friends yes. If not no,one could bite the other and you know the rest
2007-06-10 12:31:35 · answer #7 · answered by Gale B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kennel Cough is really bad and very easy to get especially if they are unvaccinated. I just went through this...and giving a doh robitussum is not something you want to experience!
2007-06-10 12:30:28 · answer #8 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the other dogs could be carriers
2007-06-10 12:33:36 · answer #9 · answered by Pro_Dog_Trainer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋