My puppy had Parvovirus

Parvovirus

Canine parvovirus disease is currently the most common infectious disorder of dogs in the United States.
'Parvo' is a highly contagious disease characterized by diarrhea that is often bloody and is caused by a pathogen called canine parvovirus, Type 2 (CPV-2). In 1980, the original strain of CPV-2 was replaced by CPV-2A and in 1986, another variation called CPV-2B appeared. Today, CPV-2B has largely replaced the previous strains as the most common isolate. Since all of these strains are similar, we will lump them together and refer to them as CPV-2 (parvo). There is currently some discussion that there may be other strains that are beginning to emerge and have yet to be formally identified. Current vaccinations have helped to control the spread of this disease but despite being vaccinated, some dogs still contract and die from parvo. There is much that we do not know about the virus or the best way to control the disease, but we are learning new information daily. Misinformation about the disease, its spread, and vaccination is widespread in both breeding and veterinary circles. We hope that with a better understanding of the disease, pet owners will be able to make good husbandry decisions that will help prevent and reduce the spread of this disease.

How is parvo spread?

CPV-2 is known to survive on inanimate objects - such as clothing, food pans, and cage floors - for 5 months and longer in the right conditions. Insects and rodents may also serve as vectors playing an important role in the transmission of the disease. All parvoviruses are extremely stable and are resistant to adverse environmental influences such as low pH and high heat. Exposure to ultraviolet light and sodium hypochlorite (a 1:32 dilution of household bleach - ½ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water) can inactivate parvovirus. The bleach solution can be impaired by organic matter and needs to have adequate exposure time and proper concentrations to work effectively. The normal incubation period (time from exposure to the virus to the time when signs of disease appear) is from 7-14 days. Active excretion of the virus in the feces can begin the third day after exposure, often before clinical signs appear, and may last for one to two weeks after the onset of the disease.

Symptoms

There is a broad range in the severity of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected with parvovirus. Many adult dogs exposed to the virus show very few if any symptoms. The majority of cases are seen in dogs less than 6 months of age, with the most severe cases seen in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age. There are also significant differences in response to CPV-2 infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.

The most common form of the disease is the intestinal form known as enteritis. CPV-2 enteritis is characterized by vomiting (often severe), diarrhea, dehydration, dark or bloody feces, and in severe cases, fever and lowered white blood cell counts. Acute CPV-2 enteritis can be seen in dogs of any breed, sex, or age. The disease will progress very rapidly and death can occur as early as two days after the onset of the disease. The presence of gram negative bacteria, parasites, or other viruses can worsen the severity of the disease and slow recovery.

Diagnosis

Not all cases of bloody diarrhea with or without vomiting are caused by Parvovirus and many sick puppies are misdiagnosed as having 'Parvo.' The only way to know if a dog has Parvovirus is through a positive diagnostic test. In addition to the more time consuming and expensive traditional testing of the blood for titers, a newer and simpler test of the fecal matter with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antigen test (ELISA) are also available through most veterinary clinics. Testing of all suspect cases of Parvo is the only way to correctly diagnose and treat this disease.

Treatment

The treatment of Parvovirus is fairly straightforward and directed at supportive therapy. Replacing fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea is probably the single most important treatment. Intravenous administration of a balanced electrolyte solution is preferred, but in less severe cases, subcutaneous or oral fluids may be used. Antibiotic therapy is usually given to help control secondary bacterial infections. In cases of severe vomiting, drugs to slow the vomiting may also be used. After the intestinal symptoms begin to subside, a broad spectrum de-worming agent is often used. Restricting the food during periods of vomiting is also necessary. Undertaking the treatment of affected dogs and puppies without professional veterinary care is very difficult. Even with the best available care, the mortality of severely infected animals is high. Without the correct amount of properly balanced intravenous fluids, the chance of recovery in a severely stricken animal is very small.

Blake More Photos

Click here to sponsor Blake!


Gender: Male
Breed: Border Collie/Chow Mix
Age Range: Young - aged 1-3, puppy stage for most breeds, fun but needs lots of attention, training and reinforcement
Estimated Age: 1 year
Size: Medium (21-50lbs)
Interested in Adopting Blake? Fill out an Adoption Application



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Activity Level: Moderate - requires at least a daily 20 minute walk
House Trained: Undetermined
Leash Manners: I need some training and patience from you, so I can understand what I'm supposed to do
Grooming Requirements: I require regular professional grooming and bathing (every 6-8 weeks)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sociability with Dogs: Does fine with other dogs, could live with another dog or as the only dog
Sociability with Cats: Undetermined
General Personality: Outgoing and social - warms up quickly

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General Comments: Blake is a fluffy guy that makes him appear bigger than his 39 pounds! We are working on brushing out his coat as it was not in the best condition when we rescued him. He is happy to have all the attention though! Blake loves to snuggle with people but is also a happy, bouncy boy looking for things or people to play with.
Blake loves to go on walks to check out all the smells and is happy to greet anyone along the way. Our happy-go-lucky boy is friendly to all dogs and people. He rides well in a car and is good on the leash.

As mentioned and as you can see from his photos he will need regularly care of his flowing mane. Once brushed out he is even more handsome and happy to prance around sporting his new coif!

Blake is looking for a loving permanent home with regular exercise & grooming, snuggle time, maybe some general training classes and a comfy bed to sleep in. He has so much to offer in return! This loving guy is waiting.....

My Ideal Home looks like: Adult home only.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESCUE History:

Chip The Chihuahua

Chip

More Photos
Click here to sponsor Chip!
Gender: Male

Breed: Chihuahua

Age Range: Adolescent - aged 4-6, out of puppy stage, playful and active

Estimated Age: 4 years

Size: Toy Breed (under 10 lbs)
Interested in Adopting Chip? Fill out an Adoption Application

Activity Level: Minimal - a 10-minute walk every other day should be fine
House Trained:
Leash Manners: I am easy to walk and pull very little
Grooming Requirements: I need regular brushing and the occasional bath
Sociability with Dogs: Does fine with other dogs, could live with another dog or as the only dog
Sociability with Cats:
General Personality: Outgoing and social - warms up quickly
General Comments: Our boy Chip is a young personable dog that makes even "big dog lovers" fall for him! He has a lot of personality, is outgoing, gets along great with other dogs, loves people, walks great on leash, rides well in the car and is just an overall good boy!!
Chip is short stout guy. We haven't heard him bark yet, although that could change. He loves his walks but is happy to be carried too. He is happy to sit for a treat or some petting. Chip is such a happy go lucky boy!! All these great things Chip has to offer and yet he is missing one key ingredient. A permanent loving home. Is that your home?
My Ideal Home looks like: Adult home only.
RESCUE History:

Mop Dog :[

this is mop dog my stupid neighbor treesa stole him from me i miss him

Orca whales

The orca is the largest member of the dolphin family and is not considered dangerous to humans. Its killer whale nickname is attributed to its voracious appetite for fish, sea turtles, aquatic mammals (including larger whales), and sea birds. Orcas live in more parts of the world than any other aquatic mammal, but they are more commonly found in colder waters. Orcas congregate in pods, with each pod having its own dialect. Orcas also have a highly defined social structure based on the female as dominant, and they demonstrate a great deal of care for their young. Animated, playful, and curious, orcas rely largely on sounds, including clicking noises, screams, whistles, and pulsed calls to communicate and locate prey.

p.s i took these pics in san diego california

chupacabra or coyote?

It’s not a mangy coyote, but is it a chupacabra?That’s the question that’s been on the minds of many in Texas and beyond ever since the strange critter was found in Cuero last month.“They seem to think it’s not just a mangy coyote,” Cuero resident and alleged chupacabra catcher Phylis Canion said.Nearly a month has passed since Canion picked up the bluish roadkill off the road on Highway 183. She claims the animal was taking her cats and sucking the blood out of her chickens.Locals immediately wondered if she’d stumbled upon a creature of folklore – the chupacabra.While that’s still unclear – KENS-TV is awaiting results of DNA tests on the carcass – what’s certain is Canion has stumbled upon a flood of international attention. The DNA results are back from tests run on the “Chupacabras” (as it was called) found by Phylis Canion, near Cuero, Texas, in July, 2007. The biologists at the Texas State University have announced that it is a coyote.I still think it's not a coyote i think it is a chupacabra.I think it's a mixture of rat pig and dog anyway one things for sure its defenitly not a coyote