Chapter 9: Reintroduction of Recovered Animals

As noted above, viral shedding can continue for up to ~14 days following recovery from clinical signs thus isolating recovered puppies for an additional two weeks is the safest option to limit spread within the shelter. Socialization is still required for puppies during this period, making prolonged isolation a potential challenge for many shelters. 

A negative CPV snap test is suggestive that significant quantities of virus are no longer being shed. In practice, snap testing recovered dogs/puppies and moving the negative animals to adoption is relatively low risk, especially if these dogs can be housed separately from puppies and recently vaccinated adults (or immediately adopted into a home meeting these same criteria). Adopters should be asked to observe a voluntary two week caution period in which puppies are not taken to dog parks, obedience class, pet stores, or other places where exposure to other puppies is a probability. Exposure to vaccinated adults is fine.

Bathe animals prior to re-introduction to a shelter in order to remove virus persisting on the coat. There is no contra-indication to performing surgery on recently recovered dogs. Continue vaccinating puppies following the normal revaccination schedule; although recovery from CPV infection will confer long term immunity, protection is still needed against the other agents included in the multivalent vaccine.