Wednesday, May 21, 2008

DOG DAYS

It has been a grueling five days. Starting May 16 we discovered our new puppies had PARVO.
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Not only THIS, but it has rained almost daily and the temperatures have been cool. Spirits with overcast, cloudy rain swollen clouds make for LONG days
Gardening and general outside work has been inconstant, but progress can still be measured.
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A mini vacation is clearly in order. With that said blogging SHOULD resume to what ever NORMAL is sometime next week. By then Pictures of the Babies are hopeful.
Mom “Jazzy” is doing QUITE well in gaining some needed weight and getting more active…She and George are becoming fast friends. Parvoviral infection has become a disease almost exclusively of puppies and adolescent dogs.

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This Site has answers to many of people’s Questions! Parvoviral infection must be considered as a possible diagnosis in any young dog with vomiting and/or diarrhea. With proper hospitalization, survival rates approach 80%. Still, there are many myths and misunderstandings about this virus, how it is spread, and how to prevent it. The purpose of this web site is to clear up these misconceptions and provide the public with an accurate information source
WHERE DOES VIRUS COME FROM? ~
WHY ONLY PUPPIES? INCUBATION The virus enters the body through the mouth as the puppy cleans itself or eats food off the ground or floor. A minuscule amount of infected stool is all it takes. There is a 3-7 day incubation period before the puppy seems obviously ill.A puppy that has NOT shown obvious improvement by the 4th Day of treatment does not survive.
OURS began showing Improvement less than 24 hours into the medication routine.
Exercise
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Your puppy should be considered contagious to other puppies for a good month so it is important to “play it safe” by restricting trips to the park, obedience school or other neighborhood areas. If your puppy is less than 16 weeks of age, he/she should not be allowed in public areas until the vaccination series is fully completed.
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Other Pets Cats and humans are not susceptible to canine parvovirus infection. Adult dogs that have been vaccinated are not susceptible, either. Puppies, however, are at risk. If your sick puppy was indoors only, wait at least one month before any new puppies come to your home. If your sick puppy was outdoors, remember that it can take 7 months before the virus is eliminated from soil. (Freezing will preserve the virus so that any time, during which the ground is frozen, that time does not count in this 7-month period.)
Now we can SIT a bit and begin to enjoy our new family ~~
Be back next week with pictures of the puppies in the SUNSHINE!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you caught this in time and that things will be looking much better soon. Hang in there and pat the pups for me.

imac said...

Sad news - but I'm glad you caught it in time now things will get better and your beautiful pups will be up and around in no time, bless you all.

Very nice collection of photos and love the running water.

Willard said...

Sorry to hear about the pups having problems, but happy to hear they are recovering.

Thanks for sharing the information on the disease.

Also a happy Memorial Day weekend to you and your family!

dot said...

Really interesting post. I'm glad the puppies will be ok.

Tom said...

What a time you must have had.. all of you. I wish each and every one all the very best and it is onwards and upwards now.

Stacey Olson said...

Parvo is NOT a good thing.. I lost a puppy to this horrible disease once.. so glad to hear they are better.. glad to have you back

Alyssa said...

What a relief it must have been when the puppies began to improve. I would have been so worried as I'm sure you and your family were. Glad that all has turned out well. That PARVO sounds like some bad stuff! And you have to be careful for such a long time. Your post had some lovely pictures (the yellow iris about to open) and lots of very interesting info. Have a great Memorial weekend and take it easy after that stressful week.

Andrea said...

I came from Tom's place. Congratulations for him saluting you. You do have a nice blog.