Dog Show Crud

Following our departure from the Nationals in Bakersfield, word got out quickly that a young pup had become sick, was diagnosed with Parvo virus, and passed away within a few days.  This was a 6-month-old puppy who had apparently been fully vaccinated.  Shortly after the first diagnosis, came word that a second puppy, a 13-week-old pup, had also been diagnosed with Parvo and succumbed to the disease.  The littermate of the first puppy also contracted the virus but did survive.

With well over 1000 Australian Shepherds present in one location, a county fairgrounds, various germs and viruses are bound to be present.  Unfortunately, Parvo is highly contagious, spreads easily and quickly, and can kill a young dog due to extreme dehydration in a matter of days.  In this age of the internet and social networking, word also spreads quickly and within a few days, "everyone" knew.  The AKC and ASCA both quickly enforced their "3o-day rule", and the CKC reminded exhibitors of their own "14-day rule" barring any dogs who had been diagnosed with or in contact with infected dogs from attending shows for the 30 or 14 days following contact, depending on the respective registries.

Fortunately, although my girls definitely had a little bit of "tummy issues" due to different food, being out of their usual routine, and the minor stress associated with being away from home and having 7 days of shows, everyone fared well throughout the week. 

I am meticulous, however, about ensuring proper vaccination protocol is used with my puppies and for boosters in my young adults.  Following the "outbreak" at Nationals, I heard many breeders comment that their dogs were "vaccinated young and vaccinated often", which I must personally disagree with.  In my extensive research over the years into vaccination, I am confident in following the protocol of Dr. Jean Dodds who recommends the first vaccine not be done prior to 9 weeks of age, so as not to interfere with the valuable antibodies Mom has passed onto her babies, followed by a second booster approximately 4 weeks later, and finally a third done another 4 weeks later, not before 16 weeks of age, again so as not to interfere with the maternal antibodies. 

My young pups also receive Ester-C (vitamin C) on a daily basis, 1000-1500 mg.  Initially given to help with their developing joints and ear cartilage, this extra vitamin C also goes a long way in supporting their premature immune systems and helping them to ward off any nasty dog show germies.  

On 2 occasions in previous years, we have attended CKC shows with a few hundred other dogs, only to come home and have the dogs start coughing approximately 10 days later, and generously share their germs with the crew who didn't even attend the show!  Much like the common cold in humans, kennel cough, again highly contagious, is easily treated and usually just needs to run its' course without medical intervention.  In some cases, a secondary infection will occur with the dogs suffering from snotty noses, but a quick course of antibiotics has them on the road to recovery within several days.  During Belle's last pregnancy, at about the 4-week mark, she came down with kennel cough, as well as 3 or 4 of the other dogs, thanks to germs shared at an early Spring show.  Due to a secondary infection, I opted to put her on a course of antibiotics and she was well within days, but not before passing on some valuable antibodies to her unborn puppies.  Time will tell just how valuable these antibodies may be, should Will, Aspen, and their siblings never be stricken with kennel cough. 

Viruses such as kennel cough and the more sinister Parvo exist everywhere that dogs exist.  I should be just as worried that the dog who trots through the neighborhood dog park on a daily basis might transport such a virus to my crew, as their owners should be worried about my dogs transporting viruses back from a national dog show.  Nevertheless, rules and guidelines are in place to hopefully protect the masses from such illnesses.  As a result, Capri missed 2 weekends of shows she was to be entered in with Matt Mullin and, out of consideration for my fellow breeders and exhibitors, though well within our rights to show (according to CKC's 14-day rule) myself and another Aussie exhibitor made a conscientious decision to stay away from a CKC show we had both entered.  Multiple emails and phone calls I received demonstrated that mass hysteria prevails over common sense, and it's sometimes easier to just decide to take a weekend off, sleep in, skip the doggie baths and grooming, and just stay home. 

We look forward to the 2013 show season when young Prim will make her CKC debut. 

Happy Trails ... Theresa