Will Falconer, DVM Moderator
Hi Vikki,
I hear your fear. And would encourage more learning to put it in its proper place (under the bus).
1. Parvo is rarely an adult dog disease.
2. Viral vaccines confer long lived immunity. Likely life long, say vet immunologists.
3. Innate, natural resistance is built upon regular exposure. Like getting out and rough housing with other dogs. Odds are, your 5 year old has lots of this already working for her, unless she's been cloistered.
4. Titers don't tell you much. Early after vaccination, they can tell you if immunization took place. But they fall over time, which is normal and doesn't indicate a lack of immunity. Just a lack of circulating antibodies.
Rather than chasing down numbers, I'd be focusing on building your dog's inherent resistance. Your choices in food, pest control, and especially vaccinations play a huge role in this.
For a good frame of reference, look to the wild cousins. How do wolves or coyotes not die off as a species when no one is vaccinating them for parvo?
All the best in finding the peace that comes of trusting a perfect system, and supporting Mother Nature's well designed works, day by day, choice by choice.