I found out today that my puppy has parvo virus. She's at the vet right now being treated with iv fluids and antibiotics. I'm just curious if anyone has had a puppy survive this and if so how long the recovery took and approximately what it ended up costing.
2007-02-05 14:48:53 · 23 answers · asked by Pippa 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I've had opinions from two different vets and they both say at best she has a 50/50 chance. The second vet said if it was her dog she wouldn't put her down yet, she's seen dogs in much worse shape bounce back. I have been getting her vaccinated she was actually scheduled to go in tomorrow for her next round of vaccines, she came from animal welfare so it's tough to know what she was exposed to there.
2007-02-05 15:07:34 · update #1
Pups can survive parvo, but the recovery process is a roller coaster. Your pup may look like it is doing great then suddenly take a turn for the worst. Depending on the age of the pup and how soon the parvo was diagnosed will determine how well you pup will do. Naturally older pups have better immune systems to fight off infection. An early diagnosis and immediate treatment can help support your pups immune system in fighting off the infection. BUT there are NO guarantees in medicine though. So prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best. You are doing what is best for your puppy by hospitalizing and having the vet give her all the care she needs. Cost and recovery depends on the vet and the severity of the illness. Good luck.
2007-02-05 14:55:22 · answer #1 · answered by christa5533 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Parvo can be treated successfully if it is caught in the early stages. Fluids and and antibiotics are vital to keep the pup hydrated and prevent secondary infections. It's what keeps the pup going until the immune system has a chance to fight it off.
That's why it is important to vaccinate pups and avoid direct contact with other dogs that you do not know the health history on.
Good hygiene and sanitation is vital to keep it spreading to other dogs. Use a bleach solution( 1 part bleach to 32 parts water) is strong enough to kill the virus.
I had fostered a puppy that contracted parvo. He was hospitalized for 3 days (IV fluids and antibiotics) He was released to me and I did SQ fluids as necessary and had him on oral antibiotics for 2 weeks. He pulled through and it cost about $400. I had to moniter his food and water intake, constantly disinfect his cage, toys, dishes and bedding. He was kept in my spare bedroom and anything that he had contact with that I could not disinfect was thrown away. I was also very careful to wear
smocks, loose pants and disposable shoe covers when I was in his room and they were removed when I left his room so I wouldn't cross contaminate anything.
He was a small enough puppy that I was able to confine him to a room. He never eliminated in my yard, thank goodness, because parvo virus is a very hardy virus and can live a long time in a dormant stage.
2007-02-05 15:01:16 · answer #2 · answered by paris26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a puppy once who contracted Parvo. Fortunately, the vet was able to diagnose it fairly quickly. My puppy stayed at the vet on IV fluids for 2 days, then we continued with antibiotics for a couple weeks after she came home. She was already perky and like herself when she came home from the vet.
My puppy was 8 months and fully vaccinated, including for parvo and she still got it. People who say a vaccinated dog won't get it have no clue what they are talking about. Especially in puppies, it is still possible for them to get Parvo. The vaccines greatly reduce the risk, but are not 100%.
I think it only cost me about $200 to have my puppy treated, but I also think my vet cut us a break on the cost of treatment as well.
Hope your pup comes home healthy soon.
2007-02-05 15:34:23 · answer #3 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I raise Puppy's and I use to work in a pet shop. Pet Shops are very hard to control illnesses in sometimes because of the number of people that want to hold the puppies. Parvo is pretty much a 50/50 thing. Depending on how early you caught the parvo if it was detected in the early stages of it the chances are higher of the dog living, but the expense can very costly as sometimes it takes weeks to determine either way. If your dog was to the point where it had quit trying to eat that greatly lowers its chances.
2007-02-05 15:30:22 · answer #4 · answered by tabby_tigger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
from what i know of Parvo having worked with the ASPCA this virus is very very deadly for young pups.
your looking at several weeks in quarantine, antibiotics, IV fluids, food, boarding....etc. the survival rate right now is about 50/50.
a quick inexpensive booster shot costing around $12-$14 dollars would have prevented this virus.
the cost to treat parvo is going to be anywhere from $1,500-$3,000 depending on the vet you are using and the recovery time for your pet.
some discount vets offer payment plans, while most expect payment in full.
im SO sorry your pup is suffering with this virus hon! this is why it's SO VERY important to make sure your pup gets all his/her shots on time! parvo is very contagious, so you will need to clean your house with BLEACH to kill off the virus, ANYWHERE the pup has been, including pavement outside.
2007-02-05 14:57:33 · answer #5 · answered by ☆MWφM☆ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep,
As long as they get intensive care (like you're doing, good job) they pull through nicely. It takes about a week to 10 days for them to feel better and they bounce right back. It's surprising how sick they can be and how quickly they forget about it when they are well.
I worked in a vet clinic for about 4 years and never lost a Parvo puppy who got IV fluids and intensive care.
Try not to worry.
EDIT
The pup still needs vaccines. There are more than one puppy killer out there, so get him all his shots.
2007-02-05 14:53:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you caught it soon enough the puppy should be able to survive. I do know that some dogs do recover but I don't know how long it took them. And since each vet charges different amounts I have no idea how much it might cost. Maybe if it's too much they will let you make payments to take care of the cost. Best wishes and I really hope your puppy comes through well.
2007-02-05 14:55:33 · answer #7 · answered by precious1too 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, my sisters dog had parvo. It was a very emotional thing to see. He had parvo for about a month or so. your dog will get alot sicker before he gets better. thats if he survives it. its a hard virus for a dog to fight. the best thing to do is stay by your dogs side and let her know your there for her. it will help her fight the virus. it costed my sister between 2 & 3 thousand.
2007-02-05 15:10:55 · answer #8 · answered by foolish_love_haze@yahoo.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of my good friends bought a American Eskimo puppy from a pet store, to find that she had parvo. She took the puppy to the vets and they treated her, and she is now 6 years old and doing wonderful. Best of luck to you, hope everything works out for you.
2007-02-05 15:20:29 · answer #9 · answered by Kim W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a crap shoot on whether they will survive or not. You have deffinetly increased the odds by taking them to the vet. Vet cost will be $100's of dollars. Recovery depends on how intense the case is. Just to correct someone else. It is worse for puppies because it attacks multiplying cells which are more common in a growing dog.
2007-02-05 17:47:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋