”Saving Lucy
from this
deadly disease
was a
most rewarding
experience
for our
medical team.
We would
like to thank
Dan and his family
for the opportunity
to help Lucy
recover
and go home
— happily
wagging her tail!”

Elizabeth Geurts, DVM
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Lucy

Meet Lucy, owed by the Dan Bornick family of Fall River. The Bornick's were thrilled to bring home a beautiful white Labrador Retriever puppy for their children. They had picked up their new pup on a Sunday afternoon, and became immediately concerned when the puppy seemed very inactive and sleepy from the time she arrived at home. During the course of the next several days, Lucy became disinterested in food and developed vomitting and diarrhea. The Bornick's brought Lucy to the clinic immediately for evaluation as they realized something was terribly wrong with their new pup. Upon arrival at the clinic, Lucy was extremely depressed and dehydrated. She was listless and weak from repeated vomitting overnight.
Physical exam findings and clinical history strongly suggested that Lucy was suffering from a serious viral infection in puppies called Parvovirus. Due to her weakened condition, it was necessary to immediately start her on IV (intravenous fluids) along with antibiotics and medications to control vomitting. Lucy was placed in isolation, as parvovirus is a contageous disease among dogs. Bloodtests and a fecal sample were checked confirming the diagnosis of Parvovirus.

What is Parvovirus? Parvovirus is a viral infection in dogs that is shed in the feces. Young dogs are most suceptible to contracting the infection because of their immature immune system. The virus is ingested and rapidly spreads to the bone marrow and intestinal tract cells. The virus attacks rapidly growing cells in the body. The immune system is suddenly destroyed by the virus along with the cells that line the intestine. Bloody diarrhea and vomitting quickly results in death without treatment. AN INFECTED PUP HAS A 50/50 CHANCE OF SURVIVAL WITH TREATMENT.

How is it spread? Parvovirus is spread in the feces (diarrhea) starting three days after the pup is infected. The pup usually doesn't show symptoms until seven days after infection. The virus lives in the environment up to six to nine months without disinfection. Household bleach is the disinfectant of choice.

How do you prevent parvovirus? Young pups can obtain protective immunity from the colostrum milk of their mother for a period of time after birth. Vaccination (puppy shots) is our tool to help protect pups from this disease. These shots are started at about six weeks of age and given monthly until the pup is at least four months old. Vaccination is not always 100% effective in protecting pups due to immune interference with the mother's colostrum.

How do you treat parvovirus? Parvovirus is not "treatable", as all viral infections, once the pup is infected, the virus must run it's course. Treatment is geared at supportive measures to maintain hydration and prevent secondary bacterial infection.

LUCY'S RECOVERY: Lucy took three days of intensive supportive care before she could return home to her family. Her treatments were administered every four hours around the clock along with condinuous intravenous fluid support. After 48 hours of therapy, a noteable improvement was seen in Lucy's demeanor and activity level. Once her vomitting and diarrhea symptoms resolved, she rapidly gained back strength and energy. The Bornick family is thrilled to have the lively and joyful puppy they expected.
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