How my Dog Survived Parvovirus

By: Hercules P.

We consider our dogs as man's best friend and parvovirus is one
who can make it end.

I have a 9 months old labrador dog and he is in good shape now with full of charms and energy. But last year, he got hit by parvovirus and we were so worried with him since we have heard a lot of fatality stories about this kind of viral infection. We really don't have an idea where he got it but we have 5 other dogs in the house and all of them are very much healthy and no one has shown an indication of having such a viral infection. Since we are too active in the social media community about dogs and dog care, we are aware of what could this killer virus can really harm our fur buddy. On the first day of the infection, we observed him that his poop wasn't formed and watery. We know that he was not feeling well but we don't have a clue that it was already a parvovirus. Then, our dog had lost appetite which was really not normal for us since he do eat volume food since every time, the food that we serve to him is not enough. That time, we are in denial that our dog was hit by parvovirus. Instead we gave him a medication that would restore his appetite that we would usually give  to our other dogs.But he is not touching it due to lost of appetite. Then, when he pooped again, it was really watery and there was a presence of blood. At this moment,  we consulted someone from the social media community for dog lovers and they confirmed  that it was really a parvovirus infection. We were so worried that time but we don't know what to do then. We tried to force feed him and even force him to drink water since we were informed that dehydration is the reason of the fatality in parvovirus, we focused on giving him liquids and we also purchased a dextrose powder for him. But still, we were unsuccessful to have him take it since he was resisting. On the second day, pooping with blood still continues and our dog was really weak. I was at work that time and my wife keeps on updating me on his condition. That day, we decided to send our dog to a vet clinic and my wife and my son accompanied him. The vet informed us that it was a good thing that they sent our dog to the clinic since he was  really weak already. He was given an antibiotic shots and was put with a dextrose to supplement for the lost liquids in him. He was also provided an extra shots of antibiotics that we would give him on a given time through the catheter that was on him. With that I attended on him in two nights just to make sure that the catheter would not be pulled out. After 2 sleepless nights, our dog showed already an interest to eat and get well. It was a worrying experience and we almost lost our dog with parvovirus. We are very thankful that we were able to save him and good thing that my wife had decided to send him to the vet right away. The vet told us that if we did not send him that time, we may not save him.
 I heard that a friend's dog died of  parvovirus just this week, and I was saddened on what had happened to her dog. I am sharing you this story because  our dog experienced the struggle and survived this killer virus. And with the right decision, you will save your furbuddies and be with them longer.

Any stories about your furbabies? Share it with us! email at ilovemydogphilippines@gmail.com