Opinions. (Patient readers only.) If you don't want to read the article go away.?

Question

A potential hope for parvo found. Pls click and read before giving me your opinions on whether you think it's a good step towards an actual cure.

http://vettechs.blogspot.com/2005/04/oseltamivir-is-there-new-treatment-for.html

My vet is the one who pointed me towards it. My neighbors puppies came down with parvo two months ago and she couldn't afford it. Although I don't advise it, I used a remedy my grandmother told me about and managed to save three out of the five. Early diagnosis is the best option but any hope is a good one.

Answer 1

This article is from 2005. Most vets that I have talked to said that Tamiflu seemed to help a little bit, but it didn't help enough to justify the cost.
Parvo dehydrates the body. If you can keep the pup hydrated, you can save the live.
A lot of people are talking about Parvaid, made by Ambertech. http://www.ambertech.com .
This and Colloidal Silver used as a enema.
Yes, this is holistic, but it does seem to work in a lot of cases. Colloidal Silver, used as an enema, kills the Parvo virus in the intestines.

Answer 2

I have seen it used in 2 cases so far, and both cases did very well, but both were also caught very early. It does not appear to help much in more advanced cases, which is honestly most all of them. Since many people wait 2-3 days after vomiting has started to see a vet, the window of opportunity is usually past. (Yet another reason to see a vet at the first sign of illness). There is some controversy about it, because there has been so little research on it you cannot accurately say it is what made the difference in the positive cases. Cases treated early typically do very well with just the standard treatment. You also have to worry about possible long term side effects, drug interactions and virus mutation. I hope it proves to work well, as parvo effects so many. Yet I worry that if a "miracle cure" comes onto the market people will think vaccination is less necessary. Could be a very scary situation, since the parvo virus vaccine is commonly combined with distemper and several other illnesses. There is also the concern about using this drug which is often in limited supply, is it right to use it on parvo dogs when there are people who may need it against very strong flu strains? Definitely a moral question.

Answer 3

So glad to hear that lump was removed! For the best I felt... As I originally posted, due to the fact that Kaper felt no pain, it did not sound like a typical infection/grass seed type of problem and removal seemed the most prudent step to me. I hope the results come back 'all clear'. As for the article... I will have to read on my lunch break (am at work at the mo, here on the otherside of the world!!) **** Very interesting. Unfortunately I do not have sound on my computer!! So complete understanding of what was said, and what was going on is not possible. But considering at the end it said turn the sound down and watch again... I figured I would give it a crack. I did love viewing this article. Always happy to be a 'sponge' and soak up more info. However, I will say that I can never really understand why people think that there is only 'one way'. And we must 'choose' negative or positive. Make no mistake, one does not work without the other to some degree. For want of a better example that will cause a bit of contraversy... Take a method such as Koehler. It has negative reinforcement BUT it also rewards the good with positive reinforcement. Yet people who hate the idea of that 'old fashioned' way of training will tell you it is all negative based. That to me shows a lack of understanding. HOWEVER, there are most certainly aspects to Koehler that I am NOT a big fan of, nor have I ever seen the need to use on any of my dogs. But there are aspects of it I love. I take in all I can and then use MY FILTER, also known as MY OWN GOOD JUDGEMENT. I let each individual dogs response guide me as to the exact amount of positive and negative reinforcement OR dominance required. And yes I do believe some degree of dominance is sometimes required. And boy, does it vary from dog to dog and breed to breed. As for Mr Milan, while I am personally not particularly a ‘fan’… As ‘Z’ said: He does have some pretty good dog skills and mostly reads dogs well… The problem is his ‘disciples’. Much like ‘Parelli’ in the horse world. Most people can’t and shouldn’t be trying to do what they do. Therein lies the problem. It looks easy – when in fact it isn’t, and the average Joe then ends up with an animal that is more often than not, a nuisance or even worse, a danger. As for the first example shown on the two dogs with dog aggression? The first dog (and I watched unbiasedly WITHOUT sound to sway me) was hardly very dog aggressive. More so undisciplined and was quickly swayed with a treat. It worked for that dog. Which is great!! I have no problem with people that use positive based training. But big deal. The second dog appeared FAR more hell bent on what it wanted. I highly doubt food would have convinced this dog to change its focus. In fact I would put money on it. A bully breed like that, which had what looked like CONFIRMED dog aggression? Good luck waving a treat in front of its nose. Simply put – the two dogs could not be compared. What works for one, does not always work for another. Degrees of positive and negative must be adjusted accordingly. But there must be both. And the degrees of each are dependant on the particular dog and situation. I would not like to have seen the outcome, if the slightly built, twig of a lass with her ‘haltie and treat bag’ was on the other end of the lead, with a dog like the one Cesar had, especially if it were an even larger animal. Disaster waiting to happen. The fact that it worked well for her clearly far less compulsive dog, means only one thing to me… It worked well for THAT dog. Kudos! But what exactly would she do if a dog was NOT interested in a treat? THAT is the bit I would like to watch!! I am a HUGE believer in taking a little from everything and everyone you can. Apply it and see what works best in a certain situation. EDIT: Sorry if it sounds like am a "fence sitter". But I think perhaps that is exactly the way I like it...? Prepared to learn from both sides of the argument. Neither agreeing or disagreeing EMPHATICALLY with one way or the other. But rather more flexible as to the benefits of both.

Answer 4

I would question the availability and wisdom of using a drug off-label. Tamiflu isn't FDA approved for canines, is it? I wonder if prescribing vets wouldn't be putting their license in danger under some state's laws? If it is approved then GREAT!!!

But if it isn't allowed to be used on canines by the FDA, few vets would put their license at risk in prescribing it. They might use it on their own pets or on those of people they knew would never sue them. The legal issues surrounding this would be my concern. I hope it works though.

Answer 5

well, it certainly gives hope...

I hope they continue doing research!

It certainly would be nice if the dogs could get treated at a lower cost and recover at home!

Answer 6

well its not a bad thing is it.people are always moaning bout sooo many dogs in shelters! atleast its a disease,and someone dont have to put animals in a box and kill them !

Answer 7

Thanks for sharing. I can keep this in mind in case I need it in the future (keep my fingers crossed).

Answer 8

Wow!! Thanks for the link!

If its not a cure, its a darn viable treatment option.

Answer 9

Thanks for the article. It is very informative.