Dog Park

Question
I have a 5 month and 2 week old male, neutered, mix breed puppy. We think he is a terrier mix, possibly pit bull. I got him when he was 8 weeks old from a shelter and he has recieved all his puppy shots (4 sets). He received the DHLPP, Rabies, and bordatella. He is on Heartgard Plus and Frontline Plus monthly. He also was wormed at every set of shots. I live in an apartment and we have a small dog park. I took my pup there yesterday. After going to the park I will not go back but I did have some health questions for you. First, the dog park was littered with feces, no one cleans up as they are told to by the rules. It smelt like feces too. It did have grass but it was patchy. I took my pup in and removed his leash and he walked around smelling for no more than 10 minutes. Then he came back to me and sat down as if he did not like the area. Needless to say I took him out and walked him away from the park and I will never go back. It is supposed to be a community park only for my apartment complex but even the residents dont care about keeping it clean. This is the only time my pup has been in this or any other park and I made sure he had all his shots before going into high risk areas like that. My main question is, considering my pup has all his shots and is 22 weeks old and on heartworm and flea prevention, is there anything else my pup could have gotten from the park? He is acting normal now but I am concerned that maybe there could be something there that he could get. The area was dirty but the ground has froze several times and it has rained several times. Is there anything I should be concerned about my pup getting? He is very healthy now but I am alittle worried considering how dirty and feces filled the dog park was. He has been going for walks on the sidewalk and clean grassy areas for weeks now and I thought the dog park would have been a good place to run but after going yesterday for the first time its sad to not have a good place to just let him go. Thank you for your help.

Answer
My concern of course is parvo in a situation like this. Parvo can live a long time on the ground, even after frosts and rain it seems. While he seems fine now I would keep him out of such areas. Speak to your manager about waging a war against those who don't clean up after their dogs. It is a law after all.

Find another park. You may have to drive but there are many around. Take a couple of plastic bags from wal-mart or where ever and use those to clean up after your dog. I take two!

Tapeworm, hookworms, parvo and kennel cough are my main concerns about such filth. These places are a real danger to children because of roundworm eggs. If nothing else, the health authorities should be notified for that very reason. Roundworms pose a huge health risk for kids of all ages and even adults with weaker immune systems.

You are correct in being concerned Joan. Make some phone calls and find a new place to walk until things change.