Unvaccinated pups and gardens - fox query!

[Han]

Hi all, bit of a random pondering here!

Darcey is nearly 11 weeks now and we are trying really hard to get her socialised. She hasn't had all her jabs yet so we are still about 3 weeks away from her being able to go on the ground outside. On Sunday we are going to my parents house for the day (about 1.5 hours drive away). She has been in the car loads and is fine, she'll sleep in her crate 

My parents have a huge (but enclosed) garden which Darcey would love to sniff around. They don't have a dog and don't really know anyone with dogs who visits. However they do have a couple of foxes which visit the garden every night. Can unvaccinated pups catch anything from foxes? My gut feeling is that I shouldn't let her in the garden, but am I being over paranoid? Obviously if my parents bought a puppy it would be allowed in their garden! Of course it may rain all day in which case she won't be keen to go out, she is paper trained so can toilet in the house (although she always poos outside).

Anyway advice would be much appreciated!!

Thank you
Han

[joanne_v]

If it was me I wouldnt worry, there's a tiny risk of her catching something but for the short time she will be there I would allow her in the garden. How come she will be 14 weeks when she goes out? I thought 12 was the norm, 1st vac at 8wks, 2nd at 10wks?

[PennyB]

 I agree with Joanne really (when Wilf was 8 weeks we had a parvo & haemorrhagic illness epidemic on the local estate near me who also used the park and surounding area to my house but I still took him out for socialising and the only dogs that were affected by this outbreak were older dogs that had never been vaxed --- a friend lived 2 doors down from a parvo dog and her pup was fine as well).

[Han]

Thanks both. Maybe if the weather is horrific I won't push it but if it's sunny she could have a little investigate 

Joanne - Darcey had a very poorly tummy when she first came from the breeders, and was also very tiny (<1.5kg) due to her tummy probs. So we had to delay her first vaccine and she only had it at the end of last week - at 10 weeks. They said to leave 3 weeks between first and 2nd vacs then about a week after the 2nd till she can go out. It's going to be a long month!

Her size and general vulnerability are another reason I am especially anxious I suppose.

[Spaniel Girl]

I have woods at the back of my house that we own and no other dogs go in there.  I asked my old vet about taking the puppy for walks  in there before she was fully vaccinated and he said not too because fox's carry distemper, I'm sure they come in to the garden as well and all my dogs have been ok.  So I'm sure your puppy will be fine.  

[Milliemoppet]

Hi

My vet told me not to allow Millie's puppies in our garden unless I was sure that there were no foxes - he said there was more danger from fox poo than from mixing with dogs/puppies in general - you could try taking your puppy to friends houses that you know have innoculated dogs so that she can become more socialised ....... otherwise wait till that second jab.  Meanwhile enjoy the puppy - they grow up far too fast.

[Saffie]

I would have thought the risk is very very low indeed to to the puppy having a certain amount of immunity from its mother and also part from the first jab. I risked it with Saffie due to bringing her to work from week 8 and she had to go outside for exercise and toilet, she was totally fine. It wouldn't only be foxes anyway as rats/mice carry a much bigger risk of diseases.

Plus if foxes can get in to the garden can Darcey get out of those holes?

[Hurtwood Dogs]

We have a lot of foxes around here and Dave was in the garden at 8 weeks (he had his first jab at 9 weeks) with no problems.

Do your parents have animals? If so it might be worth ringing their vet (presumably local to them) and asking about the risk around there.

I probably would let my pup out in the situation you've described.. but if she is a little more weak or vulnerable than the norm still, maybe that's enough of a reason not to let her?

Sorry that's not very helpful is it!

Hannah xxx

[Han]

Hmm, think I'm just going to have to see how things seem on the day! She is getting stronger every day but a little bit of me does think don't chance it, it's only for a few hours.

I wouldn't let her in the garden unsupervised anyway, also she still does that daft puppy run so she's not exactly hard to catch  May even let her out on a lead so I know she isn't eating anything she shouldn't - except the lead of course!

It is all a bit of a dilemma. Maybe it'll be pouring and she won't want to go out anyway - today everytime I let her out she wees quickly then comes and sits at my feet with her little paw raised going "er it's cold and wet - why are we both stood out here??!" 

Thanks everyone for your thought!
Han x

[Milliemoppet]

Sounds like Darcy is a bit of a woos like my pup Frankie - absolutely hates being wet and cold but loves water, getting wet and running about in the cold - just doesn't like the aftermath once she has stopped running around - begs to be dried then runs to her bed for a final once over.  Got to say - Darcy is a real CUTIE - may I adopt PLEAAAAAAAAASE

[PennyB]

Plus if foxes can get in to the garden can Darcey get out of those holes?

Foxes can jump 6ft walls or higher as they're a lot more agile than a lot of adult dogs can be.

[Saffie]

Even higher if they have springs tied to their little furry feet! 

[Mudmagnets]

If you can borrow, or buy one, how about one of those doggy playpens that you can use in the garden, that way u can put it in a really clean safe place in your parents garden, let pups have a bit of freedom but secure in the knowledge that you can stop her eating anything you dont want her to?? or maybe a flexi lead - handy when you are wanting to perform in the garden too!!

[Han]

Even higher if they have springs tied to their little furry feet! 

 

What a lovely thought!

We do have a pen, but I know that Darcey wouldn't associate "pen" with "having an explore round this new garden"    I think we'll just take her lead and see how it goes...

Thanks everyone!
x