Puppy and parvo, what are his odds?

[TierneyRose]

My husband and I were thrilled to find the cutest dog from an adoption agency. I have always wanted a border collie and my husband has always loved boxers. So imagine our delight at finding a puppy who was half and half. The morning we were supposed to go drive down to pick up Henry we got a scary call. Apparently one of Henry’s littermates had been diagnosed with parvo. The agency believes that Henry and his brother may have been exposed at an adoption event where another litter of puppies was found to have parvo. The other litter had 10 puppies in it and all 10 died, even with treatment. Henry’s brother was doing better until last night. The foster home that is taking good care of Henry said that he was great yesterday morning and full of energy but by evening he was acting off and would not eat where usually he is a chow hound. They took him to the vet this morning and they told me they would give me an update tomorrow. Should I not have my hopes up for this little guy? My husband and I let ourselves get so attached to him and we haven’t even brought him home. It sounds like a very nasty strain of parvo but they are getting Henry in very early. I feel like the adoption agency may be giving us false hopes.

[elegy]

given early and effective supportive treatment, a lot of pups pull through. parvo is an ugly disease. i will keep my fingers crossed for henry!

[CleverCanine]

Sorry to hear that Henry and his litter mates might have contracted Parvo. It is a nasty virus that can contract quite quickly but as elegy said that if treated early enough there is a chance that they will make it. With parvo there is no cure but treatment is available but the problems that althought they might overcome it there is the risk of it coming back.

If you want some more information, check this website out it should fill in some blanks on the subject: http://www.workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm

Hope that Henry and all his litter-mates pull through and everything will be OK.

CC

[feinwerkbau]

Early detection and immediate treatment - moderately and encouragingly high chances of recovery.

Later and it's best to end the suffering. If possible, look at saving the other off-springs.

Check with your vet to determine if symptoms can hint at the degrees of infection/complications.

[TierneyRose]

Good news! Henry's brother is going home soon and Henry is doing very well. He might be comming home by Sunday. I have some concern however. I have many friends with dogs and a couple have voiced concern about their dogs getting parvo. What are the risks. I know that it would be very irrisponsible of me to take him to public areas but if he is at our house and in our yard and not around puppys or very old dogs things should be fine, right? There is just so much information on parvo out there so I find myself very confused.

Tierney

[CleverCanine]

Great news!!! that Henry can come home, im sure your really pleased and his brother is good also .

Parvo is a very contagious viral infection which is able to pass via saliva, urine and faeces. There is alot of information out there on just about anything, i'd talk too your vet about it as they are more qualified than any person to actually advise on this subject.

Here's another website, not sure if it's any use or whether you've already viewed it: http://nvnv.essortment.com/parvowhatcant_opc.htm

CC

[Halliwellp3]

Parvo is also carried on human hands, feet and any part of you that may touch another dog, even a strand of your dog's hair on your body can give it to another dog. I just found that out this week from my vet because my puppy has parvo and so far she is getting better she has been keeping down solid food at least. Thank God. She contracted it from the neighbors kids because their puppy got parvo and they pet my dogs and give them treats all the time. So I would recommend bleaching your floors if you have had Henry home at all. I am glad to hear that Henry is getting better.

[Jamilupine]

So, I have a question - If a dog contracts parvo, like Henry, he never gets better? Am I understanding this correctly? So, in the future, if Henry were to come into contact with another puppy who doesn't have all of his shots, could that puppy then contract parvo? And the Vaccines given to our dogs, the parvo shot protects them for life as long as we keep them up to date on thier shots? Thanks for the info on the subject, I have also found it a VERY confusing topic. Thankfully Lucy just completed her shot cycle so we should be safe!

[Kelly]

I don't know too much about parvo, i just want to wish you luck! Good for you for adopting a rescue and not being turned off by parvo.