how do i deal with death from parvo?

Question

yeaterday my puppy got really sick. i thought it was nothing serious, so i waited until about 730 and called the emergency vet. well i took him in and they said he had parvo. they told me if i had 2,500 dollars they might be able to save him. well i didnt so they told me the only thing to do was to put him down. so i let them. it was the hardest thing ive ever had to do. when i got up this morning i did some research on parvo and discovered a 37 dollar perscription for parvo, and found out that there is a good chance that a healthier puppy could survive without any treatment. well i feel like the vet cheated me out of this information, and led me to kill my puppy. i feel like its my fault because he could have lived. i am a mess.. and i cant quit crying. i dont feel bad when i dont think about him, but when i do i cant control my emotions. its not fair. he was only 2 1/2 months old.... RIP SOLDIER mommy misses you

thank you so much everyone... as hard as it is reading all of your responses, i do appreciate them. i dont appreciate the heartless people who say well it just happens... because as true as that may be it doesnt stop the pain.

id like to thank everyone who haas commented i am doing a little better today. im thinking about getting another puppy... after i make sure the house is completely clean... and as long as it has all it shots. the saddest part of all of this is when i called the vet she said it would be 70 dollars upfront to bring him in... i said i wouldnt be able to because i didnt have the money. she told me it was ok bring him in anyway. well when i left they handed me a bill for 139 dollars and said i had to pey it by thursday and give them my wedding ring as collateral. this is really upseting because i told them i didnt have the money in the first place.. they told me to come in anyways.. then stiff me with this bill to pay. im thinking about printing off all of your suggestions and bringing them to the office and speaking to the head of the department. it just seems like thats a little too much for me to deal with right now. again thank you everyone.

Answer 1

Without intense treatment, the victims of parvo die of dehydration. Treatment generally consists of IV or sub-cutaneous fluids and antibiotics. There is no cure. Veterinarians can only treat the symptoms palliatively, and try to keep the dog alive by preventing dehydration and loss of proteins. As there is no cure for any virus, treatment for parvo is mostly that of supporting the different systems in the body during the course of the disease. This includes giving fluids, regulating electrolyte levels, controlling body temperature and giving blood transfusions when necessary.
Dogs who have survived parvo can get it again. In the case of some puppies, a puppy testing negative for Parvo one day could succumb to the virus within a matter of days. It strikes fast and without mercy. Dr. Cathy Priddle has warned that sulfa drugs have been known to cause dehydration in dogs, suggesting that animals infected with parvovirus should not be given sulfa drugs.

You may also consult a homeopathic or naturopathic veterinarian for alternative Parvo treatments. There are some natural and homeopathic treatments for Parvo on the retail market. Amber Technology offers Parvaid, an all natural herbal formula that the manufacturer claims has helped some animals overcome Parvo.

This is a very serious disease. Some puppies infected with parvovirus will die despite prompt and adequate treatment. While no extremely accurate statistics are available, a good guess is probably that 80% of puppies treated for parvovirus will live. Without treatment, probably 80% or more of the infected puppies would die.
Due to the high death rate, parvovirus gets a lot of free publicity. Many people just assume that any case of diarrhea in a dog is from parvovirus. This is not true. There are a lot of other diseases and disorders that lead to diarrhea. If you have a puppy, don't take any chances. Have your puppy examined by your vet if diarrhea is a factor in any disease. It is better to be safe than to be sorry.

If your dog becomes infected with parvovirus, he has about a 50-50 chance of survival. If he makes it through the first three to four days, he will usually make a rapid recovery, and be back on his feet within a week. It is vital, however, that he receives supportive therapy immediately. It must be stressed that this is not a bad case of doggy flu; without medical treatment, most puppies die.

Answer 2

Ive been working at a vet clinic for almost 2 years and i have seen many puppies die from parvo, if the puppy had to be put down that night, there is honestly absolutely no way it could have been saved with a prescription, in fact any vet would recommend treatment no matter how far along, or even if they just suspected parvo, its that deadly, had you maybe caught it 3 or 4 days earlier, maybe there would be an outside chance it would survive, but honestly its a very high fatality rate in puppies, thats why its imperative you get your distemper/parvo boosters, there is seriously no cure for parvo, they just wouldve hooked him up to iv fuids and pumped him full of steroids hoping for the best, ECs are a rip off anyways, you woulda been better off hoping he made it till the morning then bringing him in, again its not your fault, youd be surprised how often this happens, anyways im really sorry about your puppy, and i hope this brings you some sort of closure

Answer 3

I'm so very sorry. Run free sweet puppy. If you need to talk or anything you can e-mail me. I can't believe how insensitive people on here are being to you. I understand what you are going through. Again if there's anything I can do just ask.
To update: If you do plan on printing our responses I would like to point out to the vet that a lot of vets will offer a payment plan rather than taking the life of an innocent dog and I find what you (the vet) did despicable. All in the name of money. You have made life so incredibly cheap and then to stiff this poor heartbroken person(which heartbreak YOU caused) is absolutely sickening.
Again I am so sorry for what you have gone through. I realize that your new puppy is vaccinated but you should spray down your yard with bleach to help kill the virus because it can live dormant for up to 10 years in the grass and that spells horrible trouble for anyone who walks by too close.

Answer 4

That 37 dollar prescription for parvo med is a scam. There is NO CURE for parvo. It is a virus!! The only way to prevent parvo is to have a vet start vaccinating your puppy at 6-8 weeks of age and then get ALL the other vaccines at 3 week intervals. The reason that so many puppies die from parvo is b/c people do not get them vaccinated! When you get a puppy, the VERY FIRST thing you need to do is get it to a vet so they can begin the vaccines. Never listen to breeders who say "he already has all the shots". Don't get mad at the vet. He saved you money and did not make the puppy suffer. That stupid ad for "parvo prescription" is some idiot looking to take your money.

Answer 5

I'm sorry. I would have to confront the vet and ask why he didn't suggest the medicine. A dog I have beat parvo. she was 8 months old when it was found. They actually have a 50/50 shot at survival if found early. You need to be aware that where ever your little dog vomited or pooped the parvo virus is there. It can take 6 months to a year for the virus to go away. If you get another puppy make sure it is vaccinated so you don't have to go thru this again. Older dogs don't tend to get it. Its the delicate digestive system of puppies that makes them susceptible. When you do get another dog please change vets and get second opinions when a major decision has to be made. Shame on that vet.

Answer 6

There is no perscription for Parvo. There is no cure for Parvo.
I have been a Veterinary Technition for 3 years and only wish there was a cure for Parvo.
All you can do is give them fluids and wait until they get better. The vet wanted to put in an IV, to put fluid directly into his veins and that can get expensive, but, they should have offered you a less expensive treatment. You could have given him fluids at home. Without intensive care in the hospital (the expensive treatment) the puppies chance was 50-50 that he'd make it. You should have been told that and given the option.
Sweetie, your poor puppy doesn't and wouldn't want you to tear yourself up like this. Remember the good times, and how happy he was when you were happy.
If you decide you want another puppy you need to get him vaccinated before you bring him to your house. Parvo will infect your yard for at least 6 months.

Answer 7

Oh............I'm so sorry to hear this awful story. And I'm pissed off at that jerk who wrote you such an insensitive remark. He needs to get off this site and jump off a bridge. My sincere condolences. I do know that Parvo is the worst thing a dog can get. It also sounds like he had it long enough for the vet to realize he would die no matter what. Get yourself another little angel and that will help you grieve. That's what I did when I lost my dog and it really helped me through the hard times. Just make sure it is tested for Parvo. You are a good mommy and don't ever second guess your judgment. That sweet little doggie is running free right now and thanking you for not putting him through any more pain. That's all they would do for 2,500 dollars. He was lucky to have you as his owner. All the best to you and your future dogs!!!!!

Answer 8

I am really sorry about your puppy but DeuceHolla is right. Your vet gave you the advice that most vets would have and it is not your fault. Parvo is extremely virulent and so you need to clean and disinfect both your shoes, yard and house if you do not want it to spread to other dogs in the neighborhood. Bleach is the best thing to disinfect because most disinfectant do not kill the virus. I have read that the virus can live in your carpet, house and yard from six to nine months. Chances are that your puppy contracted the virus at your breeder's. A puppy that young is not likely to have an immunity built up so they are very susceptable so please, don't blame yourself.

Answer 9

The remedies that you can order on line aren't likely to arrive in time.
They are most useful if you have a litter, and can get it in time to save the ones that get it a day or two later.
I had an entire litter (8) of very healthy pups come down with parvo, due to having given spoiled vaccine.
After several thousand dollars of veterinary care, I lost all the babies.

My friend had 2 litters of her puppies get Parvo (same spoiled vaccine). Out of 23 puppies, she was able to save only one puppy.
The vet most likely saved your baby from many days and hours of extreme suffering. The heartache of defeat, after pouring your heart and soul and money into trying to save a puppy is somehow even worse.
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.

Answer 10

Depending on how long it had the parvo you would have had a 50% chance of it living. And it doesnt matter the health of the dog if it didnt get its parvo shot. 9 out of 10 pups will get parvo with out this shot. The person you got the pup from is the one you need to be talking too. My adivce would be if you buy another puppy get it a parvo shot.