The dreaded Parvo - Paw Talk

Jenn · #1 11-09-2004, 03:02 PM

I just thought I'd share some things I am going through.

I have a GSD pup who is about 7 months now, Simon. He is my love, he is always with me. Simon is such a handful, he is a big boy and he's a nice,loving,playful,pup. He is just what I had hoped for in a companion.

I recently moved across state and had been in the new house about three weeks when I was smitten by a pet store pup, an adorable Australian Shep pup. I had considered getting another companion but "was" going to wait until Simon was out of his puppy-ness. BUT, but this little puppy got under my skin, and right into my heart, and when I went back to see her I couldn't imagine a more perfect little companion for myself and Simon and our family. She is pretty typical behavioural wise for an Aussie and I just adore her to pieces. I swear they make these little ones so adorable to help them survive all the mischief they seek out. I think my key with her is to just keep her busy and give her "jobs". She is already nearly potty trained, I must say she is seemingly a very smart little girl. Her name is "Cookie"

Cookie comes home with us about a week and a half ago. Cookie and Simon, hit it off almost imediately I was so relieved. They even slept with one another the first night. It did take Simon a few days to work out how to "play" with Cookie without being to strong with her. It seems they will make great friends.

I had a coupon from the pet shop to take Cookie in for a check up, so about 6 days after she came home we were going to a new Local Vet. I was looking forward to finding out about all of their services as I have quit the furry crew around here. I was in luck as they provide services to dogs, cats, and important one for me was they do Chinchilla's and have three specialists on staff to see chins. I was impressed and wow, what a great group of people there.

Cookie got a clean bill of health and many compliments on her adorableness, and I got to ask the doctor a question that had been playing in my mind since the morning. Simon had been sick, throwing up. I asked the doctor " when should I be concered about my GSD being sick?" I told him about the vomiting and he asked a few questions and said to bring Simon in right away.

I think my head was just spinning on the ride home to get Simon. The doctor mentioned that Parvo is rampant in the town I had just moved to.

I had a few hours to wait before we had our appointment for Simon. During that time he had projectile diaherrea? I mean it went about three feet across my kitchen floor. I knew something was really wrong.

We bring Simon in and the first thing the Dr, notices is that Simon is underweight. I was a little shocked and had just figured Simon is a GSD and runs on the sleek side. I feed him a Premium dog food and I also double their suggested feeding because while I know GSD are known to be sleek I always think a little more meat on his bones would look better. He doesn't always even finish his food, so I figure he's full? *sigh* The doctor asks us when he was last wormed which was about two months ago, we had noticed a big long worm in his stool. The doctor tells us that we treated for the wrong type of worm. I am feeling relieved that this is a "worm" issue and not PARVO......

The Dr. ran the parvo test just to be sure it wasn't Parvo and returns to tell us that indeed it was PARVO. I think I was going to throw up, the last I had heard is Parvo will kill your dog and you will spend around 1500 trying to fix it with little success.

I was wrong- kind of. Parvo can kill your dog, yes. Nowadays they have 98% chance of succesful treament ( I think small puppies are a lower %) and the estimate he gave us for treatment is about 750 dollars.

Simon has been at the hospital since last thursday, I call twice a day to see how his night went and to see how his day went. He's in rough shape, as of yesterday he is still unable to keep liquids in him.

The Dr. reccomended we up Cookie's vaccination schedule to a two week interval instead of three weeks, because of Simon's condition and she is so vulnerable. He says that although it is an agressive shcedule she should be able to tolerate it.

I've been so scared to take her outside for potty training, I've been letting her do her business inside until last night. We take Cookie in for vaccinations last night and figure out that the timing of Cookie coming home and Simon getting Parvo is more than coincidence. Apparently the Dr. has a theory that Cookie is/was carrying the virus but was immune to it because of the protection of her mother's milk.

Well that all makes sense.......the Dr. says it is textbook......so we started back on the housebreaking routine with Cookie, and she is so darn smart she picked right back on it.

I sure miss Simon and hope he gets better soon.

My lingering question is......

How the **** did Simon get PARVO? Don't their vaccinations keep them from getting it? I have to admit something....I didn't take him in for his six month vaccination but he is only 7 months, and I was in the middle of a move. Maybe I left him vulnerable, that's probably it. I am really kicking myself and it almost cost my dear Simon his life. I like to think I am a responsible pet owner, and I am human, but Simon hates it when I leave the room. If I leave the house he will wait at the door till I return, up to about an hour, the other family members watch this over and over. Now because I left him vulnerable he is sitting all sick at the vet, without me, alone, fighting to stay alive.

I feel like such a terrible mom, and if not getting his six month vaccination doesn't make a difference, I am back to my question about, HOW THE HECK DID HE GET PARVO? shouldn't he have been protected from it, like the puppy? I guess I'll ask the doctor.

DirtySouthChins · #2 11-09-2004, 04:41 PM

Aweee I'm sorry to hear about simon, sadly their vaccinations do not prevent them from getting parvo (it helps decrease the chances) especially if your in a high risk area and you have dogs under the age of 2. Parvo is more common under the age of 2 and even more so under the age of 1 and more so under the age of 6 months (make sense?). You can bring parvo into your house from your shoes. Now that you know Simon has parvo it is best to take a 10% bleach to 90% water solution and clean through your entire home....Yes this is a pain in the butt, but sadly parvo can live in your home/environment for up to one year and bleach is the only known chemical that can kill the virus. It is also recommended after using the bleach solution inside your home you do the same for your yard, anywhere that Simon has been should be cleaned with the bleach solution. You can use the solution on your carpet/furniture as well, but not all materials can stand the bleach so it is best to spray a small portion on a corner area where nobody can see to ensure it isn't going to bleach out your rug/furniture. The good news it is uncommon to get parvo twice, so if the new pup is a carrier Simon should be in the clear from getting it again.
Pups can die from parvo, but it sounds like it was caught in time, so now that Simon is receiving proper care he should make a full recovery.
Parvo is a pain in the butt, and all the cleaning must be done, it is also recommended that no puppies should be brought into your yard/home for at least 1 year. All this information is from research I have done on the disease and personal experience. Your vet may tell you something on how to clean your home and get your yard disease free, but from my understanding bleach is the only way.
Sadly we can bring in diseases to our animals on our shoes, clothing, etc, just from being in an enviroment that has an infected animal w/out our knowledge

I hope Simon makes a full recovery, best of wishes, and best of luck

Chrisanne · #3 11-09-2004, 04:44 PM

First of all, try not to panic. Age is on Simon's side.

Parvo attacks fast, and without reason. Odds are Simon picked it up from your yard. Parvo can live and lie dormant in the ground for months. Simon has a good chance here. I have a parvo survivor so I know how you are feeling.

I also feel I should mention that vaccines do not make them safe totally, it just aids as a prevention. There is no guarantee on anything in this life sad as that is. Also, the younger the pup, the more likely they are to have a hard time surviving. Get the pup tested if you haven't already.

Black and tan breeds are more prone to parvo. It has something to do with the pigmentation effecting their immune system. Rotties are big time vulnerable.

Bleach your entire yard..... bleach everything in the house that can be bleached. For everything else, color safe bleach and hot hot water. Pray!!!!!!!!!

Parvo does not actually kill the animal. It is complications from the parvo that due. Dehydration is the #1 reason.

You'll be in our prayers, keep us posted.

Chrisanne · #4 11-09-2004, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavyWife97


	Parvo is a pain in the butt, and all the cleaning must be done, it is also recommended that no puppies should be brought into your yard/home for at least 1 year. All this information is from research I have done on the disease and personal experience. Your vet may tell you something on how to clean your home and get your yard disease free, but from my understanding bleach is the only way.

Good point Kim, I forgot the one year rule. I agree with the bleach being the only way.

DirtySouthChins · #5 11-09-2004, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisanne


	Parvo does not actually kill the animal. It is complications from the parvo that due. Dehydration is the #1 reason.

Good Point

Chinchilla_Girl · #6 11-09-2004, 07:12 PM

Everyone is right, he probably either picked it up in the yard or someone picked it up on their shoes. Black and tan breeds seem to be more suseptible but it is indeed curable. Your pooch is at the vet and I'm sure they are keeping him full of fluids as dehydration is the #1 problem associated with Parvo. It sounds as if he's in good hands. I know it's difficult, but try not to worry too much and just keep updated on him as much as possible. We've had a few people call lately suspecting Parvo but no one has brought their dog in to be tested...

I really wish more people would care about their pets more than the costs. You're a great poocher mom! You are doing the right things and I'm sure he'll get through this.

Jenn · #7 11-10-2004, 01:26 AM

Thanks for all your feedback, I really appreciate itand your supportive thoughts. I've gotten the house bleach nuked, and the doctor sent us home with a special mixture of stuff to spray the yard with.

Very interesting to learn about darker colored breeds being more prone to Parvo.

Well, I'm just sitting here waiting for the doctor to call me back tonight. Apparently when I called they were in with Simon and will call me back. I hope he starts holding in fluids. Like you say though, the vet has him on IV and all the special stuff they do so I am hoping he is getting hydrated enough.

Thanks again, and I'll update this thread as we go through this.

**Scarlette** · #8 11-10-2004, 01:35 AM

I have nothing to add except that I hope he pulls through it ok.

Jenn · #9 11-12-2004, 12:28 PM

I think Simon is coming home today. The vet called last night and said unless he calls this morning, to come pick up Simon around noon today. He was eating and drinking yesterday and only one little vomit yesterday morning. I miss my boy I can't wait to see him.

***Jade*** · #10 11-12-2004, 02:11 PM

That's great news!!

Chrisanne · #11 11-12-2004, 04:35 PM

great news

bugaboo76 · #12 11-17-2004, 11:25 PM

I am a little upset hearing about this!!!! What in the world is parvo? I am a new dog owner and have never heard of this. We just got "cookie" (a yorkshire terrier) 2 weeks ago and he is only 3 months old and is tan and black. The odds aren't on his side!!! Can anyone calm me down about this? Help!!!

Jenn · #13 11-19-2004, 06:57 PM

Parvo is a virus, that is spread in feces, and even little small feces we can't see. Most dogs are vaccinated against this and won't get it, but I found out the vaccine is like,,,,well I liken it to getting your kids the chicken pox vaccine, most likely your kids won't get it but it is possible. It effects the digestive system, the stomach, the intestins, etc.

Simon is back at the vet, he won't take food or water and is vomiting and has diarea again. *sigh* I hope someone might be able to explain parvo better than me but all I can truly say is this is so awful and I feel so helpless and afraid.

The best defense is having your pet vaccinated, apparently Parvo can be just about anywhere.

Here is a link about Parvo
http://www.workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm

DirtySouthChins · #14 11-20-2004, 04:07 AM

Jenn I'm so sorry to hear that Simon is going back to the vet, poor little guy, it must have hit his system hard...... Usually after about 3-4 days of treatment they usually do begin to show healthier signs, but sometimes it can take longer, it depends on the breed and how his body is fighting it.... Best of wishes to both you and Simon for a speedy recovery.....
Bugaboo, please don't get so upset and worry about something that may never happen, just read up on some information pertaining to being a new puppy owner as this will help you be a little more prepared for what could and couldn't happen, I will look through my links and see if I have any good one's that could help you learn a little more

RSbunny · #15 11-20-2004, 04:15 PM

Jenn I'm sorry to hear Simon is back at the vet's. It is the best place for him to be though. They can keep him hydrated which is his best defence. Keep us updated on how he is going. I will keep my finger's crossed for you and simon that he makes a speedy recovery.