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Let’s Talk Parvo
by Cathy Richmond-Williams
by Cathy Richmond-
I just read somewhere another pup died of Parvo. Let's talk Parvo. I have tons of experience with this disease through my own experience and all the cases we see at work. If your puppy is having bloody diarrhea do NOT let your vet do exploratory surgery looking for a foreign body. Even had this happen at UT Vet School. I've heard of several cases like this where sick Parvo pups have had exploratory surgery looking for foreign object. Most died.
1st Every Parvo case starts with lethargy and not eating. Even before the bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Never seen a Parvo case in the beginning that is eating. Ever. And I've seen hundreds. Also rarely see fevers with Parvo even the really sick ones. Don't expect high fever as indicator.
2nd. I don't care how many negative Parvo tests you get. If they aren't eating, having diarrhea and vomiting start treating for Parvo immediately. I had multiple negative IDEXX Parvo tests. Don't wait to find it on necropsy like I had to. What's the worst that will happen giving fluids and anti nausea drugs?
3rd at very first signs start Tamiflu for best success with survival. I can't scream this enough. My puppies would have probably lived had I not believed the negative tests. Road Runner Pharmacy has a Parvo kit that they can overnight and any vet can order from them. INSIST on it.
4th If your puppy has not had at least 3 vaccines with the last being after 16 weeks then they can get Parvo. I can't tell you have many times I've seen Parvo with puppies who had 1 to 3 sets if vaccines without proper spacing. We have seen plenty of 1+ year old dogs with Parvo. Had a 10 month old today with strong positive.
5th and soooo important. Parvo is everywhere! None of us are immune especially at dog shows. We can inadvertently walk through it and never know walking it straight into our homes. Don't stick your head in the sand and convince yourself it can't happen to you. Enteritis is just angry gut. It's a symptom and not a diagnosis. Do not put a sick puppy through barium series. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and swims like a duck then don't go looking for zebras.
2nd. I don't care how many negative Parvo tests you get. If they aren't eating, having diarrhea and vomiting start treating for Parvo immediately. I had multiple negative IDEXX Parvo tests. Don't wait to find it on necropsy like I had to. What's the worst that will happen giving fluids and anti nausea drugs?
3rd at very first signs start Tamiflu for best success with survival. I can't scream this enough. My puppies would have probably lived had I not believed the negative tests. Road Runner Pharmacy has a Parvo kit that they can overnight and any vet can order from them. INSIST on it.
4th If your puppy has not had at least 3 vaccines with the last being after 16 weeks then they can get Parvo. I can't tell you have many times I've seen Parvo with puppies who had 1 to 3 sets if vaccines without proper spacing. We have seen plenty of 1+ year old dogs with Parvo. Had a 10 month old today with strong positive.
5th and soooo important. Parvo is everywhere! None of us are immune especially at dog shows. We can inadvertently walk through it and never know walking it straight into our homes. Don't stick your head in the sand and convince yourself it can't happen to you. Enteritis is just angry gut. It's a symptom and not a diagnosis. Do not put a sick puppy through barium series. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and swims like a duck then don't go looking for zebras.
People may think I'm crazy but if I can save the heartache of one owner or breeder than I'm Ok with being the crazy Parvo screamer.