Woofs & Mews in ARFP: THE Dreaded PARVO

The week of May 18th ARFP received an e-mail from a rescue person soliciting for someone to rescue this mother dog, with 9 puppies, from a shelter in Lee County. She was headed for euthanasia if she was not pulled from the shelter ASAP. These were the pictures that were sent out to rescue groups.

The puppies were just days old and ARFP had room to take them. They needed our help!

Within five days of intake, the mother dog, now known as Amber, broke with Parvo.
Canine parvovirus is a contagious virus mainly affecting dogs. The disease is highly infectious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces. It can be especially severe in puppies that are not protected by maternal antibodies or vaccination. It has two distinct presentations, a cardiac and intestinal form. The common signs of the intestinal form are severe vomiting and severe hemorrhagic (bloody) diarrhea.

This is what our Amber was diagnosed with by our local veterinarian.

Armed with fluids, injections, puppy formula, needles, IV lines, baby bottles, nutrical, yogurt, hand sanitizer, clorox solution, and dedicated volunteers Amber had an entire troop trying to pull her and her puppies through this disease.

It was quickly apparent that Amber could not care for her 9 puppies. She was so sick she couldn't raise her head and had no interest in anyone or anything. We were not only looking at losing Amber but possibly all 9 puppies. After diagnosis Amber immediately started receiving fluids and injections.

We are truly lucky to have a veterinarian that knows what our skill sets are and one that is willing to let us treat our sick animals with her guidance. Pulling a mother dog and 9 puppies through parvo can run thousands of dollars.

Unfortunately we lost the smallest puppy very quickly. We then identified the other two smallest puppies and started them on, not only formula, but fluids.

With Amber fading away quickly the bottle feedings began....

After almost a week of treatment, bottlefeedings, and so many lost hours of sleep Amber and her 8 puppies are on their way to a full recovery. E-mails were sent out, feeding shifts were scheduled, and volunteers started offering much needed help to Amber. Clearly this was a team effort!

There are not words to say thank you enough to Amber's primary caretaker, temporary foster mom, and Amber's angel Pam S!!! Without the other members of Amber's team we may very well have lost the rest of this litter...Debi B, Linda D, Beth T, Suzanne R, Sharon M, Randy P, Caitlin O, Kirstie D, Pam B, and Taylor C, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

These are the two smallest puppies. They were removed from the litter, soon after we lost the one puppy, to receive fluids and formula more often. I am ecstatic to report that they are now eating 4-5 ounces per feeding and have plump little tummies. They will go back with their siblings very soon!