3.1. Parvovirus
Parvovirus (“Parvo”) is a very serious, highly contagious condition that kills dogs, especially puppies, at least eighty percent of the time, if not intensively treated. The puppy or dog is vomiting and/or has diarrhea that is very red, almost black, and stinks like nothing you will ever smell. It requires IMMEDIATE veterinary attention.
There is no cure for it, but typically, if you can keep the animal alive for 5 days, they will usually recover: however, several years later, we did have a small Scottish Terrier stray that took ten days to recover. Our Vet, who was seventy-four years old at the time, told us he had never seen that before.
The animals are usually so sick they will not eat or drink anything, and they get dehydrated. If they get dehydrated, the virus will penetrate the intestines and spread to all of the other organs, and the animal will die a horrible death.
Treatment usually requires intensive care, but if done by a veterinarian, it can be very expensive. However, with the help of the “right” Veterinarian, the cost can be affordable if the owner follows simple instructions. Treatment at the Houston Humane Society costs approximately $400. Your local chapter of the Humane Society may be much more affordable than a veterinarian.
The hard part is finding the “right” Vet to help you treat your dog. If they are competent, they all know about an alternate way, but they do not make as much money as if they did it themselves and charged you $1,200 to $2,000. My suggestion is that if you get a puppy or if you are going to get a puppy in the future, look for a Vet NOW! After the puppy gets sick is not the time to start looking for a Vet that will help you.
Parvo can be everywhere. The best protection for your puppy is keep them away from other animals, especially dog parks, or places where other animals have been, until they are at least six months old and their immune system is fully developed.
Shots for Parvo are O.K., but research found that the shots are effective ninety-five percent of the time. Consequently, five percent of dogs that have had Parvo shots can still get the virus.
