Thursday, April 9, 2009

Bad News

I am an absolute wreck right now.

I did not make the decision to adopt the puppy lightly...or on the fly. This was something I thought & prayed about for weeks. I found the perfect fit for our pack and my heart in Miss Puppy (called Lyndi on the rescue site - so that is her name for now).

When I went to Moses Lake to meet Lyndi and pick up Jazzmine (who had already been adopted by another family) and Susie (another owner surrender) for transport back to Seattle area - I did so with the intent to adopt her ONLY if I knew in my heart it was the right thing. When I met her I knew I couldn't leave her behind. In 2 days I have fallen completely in love with this little sweetie - she really is an exceptional little girl.

The entire litter of pups were vaccinated on Monday. Tuesday morning Jazzmine was sick (fever, vomiting and diarrhea). The foster mother brought Jazzmine to the vet & was told it was an allergic reaction to the vaccinations. That same day when I met them Jazzmine and all the other puppies appeared to be healthy and happy.

On the drive back Jazzmine exploded a few times in the crate. She contined with vomiting/diarrhea when I got her home prior to being picked up for transport to her new home.

Lyndi was just fine. She was full of energy and happy. She ate her dinner and was drinking good. Wednesday morning Lyndi ate her breakfast & drank water, but by the afternoon she had vomited it all up. She nibbled on her dinner & continued to drink water but diarrhea had set in.

She vomited several times thru the night. I brought her to the vet immediately this morning. The vet ran a parvo test followed by with a CBC to confirm it was not the vaccinations she recieved on Monday giving a false positive. The parvo test was positive. She has parvo.

Even though she clearly felt weak she was a little fiesty tyke when they tried to take her blood - she didn't want anything to do with that and actually squirmed out of their grip twice. She even managed a couple growls and a bark. But that seemed to take most of what she had left right out of her, shortly after she just drifted off and I was not able to wake her up when they took her into the back.

The vet is being very cautious and guarded on his prognosis. He is going to call me in a couple of hours and let me know how she is doing. Then I will have updates every evening and every morning.

I am absolutely devasted.

I was so worried on the way back over the mountains with Lyndi and Jazzmine that something was seriously wrong - Jazzmine kept vomiting and they both were covered in diarhhea by the time we got home. Jazzmine vomited a few more times before she went home with Vicki. I knew it wasnt a vaccine reaction when Lyndi started to get sick last night.

Now I have to clean everything with bleach. Thankfully Lyndi was only ever in the kitchen/dining room, her crate in my bedroom (I carried her upstairs and put her right into her crate) and one section of our house with carpeting. The few times she was outside I know exactly where she had been.

I know the ratio of water:bleach is 10:1 to kill parvo. Can I use that on my grass too? Will it be sufficient? Should I maybe just burn that section of my grass?

The vet also told me it wont be a good idea to have a puppy at my house for at least a year. So that narrows down my ability to foster.

The vet bill is going to be phenomenal. Our vet is going to look into getting funds from the clinic to cover some of the bill. It isnt just Lyndi who is sick - the entire litter is sick now & will all need to be hospitalized.

This is so horrible. I feel terrible about this and am worried sick about my little girl. I am not sure I can make it through losing yet another dear animal. First Katie in November, Charlie last month and now this. I don't think my heart can take much more.

Please say a prayer for Lyndi.

17 comments:

ThePainterPack said...

I am so very sorry about this. I know how devestating Parvo can be...but, when she pulls through this (and she will) then she'll be immune to it. Our vet has told us that the parvo virus never really goes away once it is in your yard. It diminishes over time, but if I were you, I'd burn whatever I could. Don't take the chance. Puppies are such easy prey for the virus...I will pray for your home and all the pups.

Painter Pack Mom
(Sherri)

Amy said...

Hi,
I work at a vet (I'm up front, not a tech or anything) and we have pulled many puppies through parvo. Very important they keep her hooked up to IV fluids, (just saying this because some people want to try and treat at home and I've never seen that work) I will be keeping her in my thoughts and praying for a quick recovery. You caught this fast and although she is young, with excellent vet care she will get through this. You are in my thoughts!

D said...

So sorry about your pup. I hope she pulls through. Burning will not help your yard. Parvo will stay in the ground for years. Wash bedding in bleach as well. Until a pup has been fully vaccinated (3 dhlpp) I wouldn't bring it on your place. Keep your adults up to date as well, as we have seen adult dogs come down with it at the clinic I work at. Luckily the vaccine is really a good one, and when vaccinated properly you won't have a problem. Good luck!

zairisfrog said...

She needs to stay on IV fluids...dehydration is the problem. Hugs to you, my dear friend.

Darci said...

My heart and prayers go out to you and your family, and especially the puppies. Im very familiar with parvo and pups, as I lost my sweet little Rose to it last year. However, her brother Hank did survive, and is still going strong. Keep ther faith and visit as much as you can to keep spirits up. Personally, I think they benifit more from the visits than they suffer from the let downs of your leaving without them.

Dancing shepherdess said...

Oh jeez. Here is my advice. Compartmentalize things. She (Lyndi Lou as I will call her) will be in good hands at the vet's. Puppies can be very resilient. So, ask the vet office how often you can contact them with updates. I would suggest 10:30 and 4:30- I say this, because when I worked at a vet office, that's when the vet had done rounds, and was able to give updates. Okay, so now you have your check up orders.

Now, for your house/yard. 10% bleach will kill it. It will also kill the grass, but grass will grow back. Get rid of the crate she was in. They do make a "Parvasol"- see if you can use that on carpets.

Do not worry about the $$ right now. That is the least of your worries, remember, I said to compartmentalize. So, puppy updates- first. In between house and yard treatment. At night, ice cream sundae, with hot fudge, nuts and whipped cream.

I will email you if it's on your site- to get your # so I can call.

Keep the faith.

Andrea said...

So sorry to hear about this...Lyndi is in my thoughts. Sounds like she has a lot of spirit and I am sure she will pull through.

BCxFour said...

Lyndi is on IV fluids now, and will remain so until they feel she is able to keep food down. I am going to go see her later, but they said I cannot go in the room or hold her. She is in the parvo room and in complete isolation. They are very loving and caring there and know she is an affection nut - so they are cuddling with her. I am upset I cannot hold her - have to look through a window - but I have to think of my dogs and any other dogs that may be in the lobby and I could expose on my way in or out.

Lyndi was only in the yard twice and she peed once and pooed once. I know the spot she went in. My husband has already scooped the poop (we scoop everyday) so now I just need to douse it with bleach. No worries - I have been wanting to get rid of the grass in that section and replace it with gravel anyway.

Thank you to everyone for the kind words and support - it means so much.

-Carolynn

PoochesForPeace said...

I am praying for you. Keep your attitude positive- rehashing what has happened will only make the situation more difficult for you. Kado was a few months old when he got parvo and it was remarkable when he recovered- I am confident your baby girl will do the same. Good luck, lets look forward with happy tails for her!

Lauren said...

I am so sorry to hear that. How terribly devastating. We are definitely thinking about you!

DogzRock! said...

Oh That is so sad
Parvo is truly devastating but she will get through this,you just have to believe in her.
We are all praying here in my family and Travis sends his love.
Max
(Trav's Bro)

Versailles Rose said...

I am so, so sorry. I'm sending lots of prayers/

5dogz said...

I'm so sorry. I'm coming out of anonymity to tell you that my own Parvo puppy will be two years old next month. Henry is a mini-aussie, carefully chosen from a WONERFUL breeder to be our perfect-match dog after years of doing rescue. At six weeks old the entire litter contracted Parvo, most likely brought in on the shoes of someone who came to visit. It happens. They all pulled through and Henry, once the sickest pup in the litter, is now happy, healthy, and rambunctious. You'd never guess he was ever sick. She will make it. You caught it early and she's getting great care; your pup will be ok. My heart goes out to you and to all the foster and adoptive parents of the other pups in the litter. I'll say a prayer for you all.

Suzuki said...

I am furry sorry to hear about this :(
I will keep all my paws crossed fur you!
Big licks to you
Suzuki
xxx

StellaStar said...

*thinking of you and the puppies, and keeping all in my prayers!*

Loretta Mueller said...

I am sooooo sorry--I am sending LOTS of prayers for your new pupper!!!

I have seen puppies make it through with Parvo so keep your thoughts positive and keep us updated!

Raising Addie said...

We are so sorry to hear about this.

She's strong so we know she will pull through this.

We will keep Lyndi in our prayers as well as your entire family.

Lots of Luv & Kisses
Addie, Lucie and Staci