Is a puppy that has had it's full set of vaccinations, and is 4 months old, bulletproof to Parvo?

It depends on how old the puppy was at the time of the last injection. Current recommendations are for the last parvo vaccine to be given when the puppy is 14-16 weeks old. If that was the case then I would not worry.

It is not the number of vaccinations that matters, but the age of the puppy receiving the vaccines. When puppies nurse right after birth they get colustrum from their mother. This contains antibodies against things the mother has immunity to. These maternal antibodies protect the puppy, but gradually decline. If the maternal antibodies are still high, they will neutralize the vaccination and the puppy's immune system will not be stimulated and develop its own immunity. When the maternal antibodies drop low enough, then the vaccine will work.

A series of vaccinations are given because for an individual puppy, we do not know exactly when maternal antibodies will drop low enough. When puppies are vaccinated at 8 weeks of age, the majority develop immunity but some do not. The next vaccination at 12 weeks will cover almost all the puppies, but a very small percentage will not get immunity. The last vaccination at 14-16 weeks will catch that tiny minority.

So if this puppy was vaccinated on the scheduled that used to be recommended by many vets, at 6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 12 weeks, then I would get the pup another parvo vaccine and wait four days before bringing him into your house.

Edited to respond to other answers. Yes, parvo has mutated. None of these mutations have changed the effectiveness of the vaccine. The first generation of vaccine works just as well on this parvo C as it did on parvo A.

A quality vaccine given to a healthy dog at 16 weeks of age is the best you can do to give immunity. If a dog does not develop immunity to parvo by then, it probably never will. There are a tiny tiny number of dogs called non-responders. They have a flaw in their immune system that makes it incapable of mounting a defense against parvo. If that is the case then sadly nothing can be done. It is impossible to prevent a dog from being exposed to parvo during its life, short of keeping them in a bubble.

Parvo can live in the soil and on surfaces for up to 7 years. No dog would be "bulletproof" as vaccines merely reduce the risk. Granted, most vaccines cover a dog something like 99.5%, but there is still a risk, although it is tiny. The vaccines also take some time to become fully effective as well. I have heard 2 weeks-1 month....but I'm not certain on that.

You should wash any hard surfaces in your home with bleach, especially anywhere where the puppy was.

I'm very sorry for your loss. Parvo is terrible and I have watched many puppies go through it when I worked with a vet's office. Some make it, but A LOT don't.

Parvo can be sooo serious when a puppy has it. I would never suggest you treat him at home. I know it's expensive but yes as others have suggested try to make an arrangement for the hospital to take payments. With regards to the vaccine, vaccines are never 100%. But there could be something wrong with the vaccine that was used for your puppy. It could have been stored improperly or it could have been expired or a bad lot. Then it is the Vet's fault or the maker of the vaccine. I'm not sure if this would work, but I would find out what company makes the parvo vaccine your puppy got and write a letter to them. Tell them how sick your puppy is and he is in the hospital. Send them photos copies of the Vaccine bill, and the hospital bills and ask them to pay for it!!! If they ignore you, write to them again and say: "This is my second attempt to have this issue resolved. The consumer is let to believe that your vaccine will prevent Parvo, this has not been the case for my dog. I am requesting a reimbursment for all medical fees related to my dog's illness due to the failure of your vaccine to work. If this issue is not resolve, I will be forced to take legal action."

As long as the final parvo vaccine was administered more than a month ago then your dog is proven to be 99% protected against Parvo.

But 99% is not 100%, so no. No dog is ever bulletproof against Parvo.

Take reasonable percautions and try not to lose sleep. The overwhelming chances are your puppy should be fine, but if even the slightest thing happens make sure to rush him to the vet. Better yet, get your puppy tested now. If he has been around the parvo positive dog then he is already exposed and a test will tell you.

Parvovirus -- like all viruses -- has the ability to morph into new strains. So when a new strain emerges, dogs are not protected from this new strain until scientists can identify the new Parvo strain and develop a new version of the vaccine.I would not for at least 6mo's to a year bring a new puppy into the house even if vaccinated..

So sorry for your loss. Parvo is such a monster to deal with. :(

But since parvo is still active in your house, and vaccinations are NEVER fool-proof, please do not bring another dog into your house. I think parvo can stay in the soil around your house for 12+ months.

There is no such thing as "bulletproof" with any virus, because viruses mutate.

nope

NO dog is 100% protected.. even a fully vaccinated adult can get it.