Battle with PARVOVIRUS

Canine Parvovirus to me is synonymous to Cancer – an helpless case; so when I learned that my dog acquired the disease, I halfhearted accepted his demise. My ordeal happened last week of November 2016. Kendall was 6-month old, active and has a strong solid appetite as compared to his sibling Kylie.

November 26, 2016 (Saturday), routine breakfast was pedigree beef in gravy (puppy); Kylie immediately finished her bowl, while, Kendall ignored his. A bit unusual, but Kendall was at his usual hyperactive state. By lunch time, he just smelled his share of boiled chicken breast and was later eaten by Kylie. I read online that it’s normal for a dog to loose appetite on a day or two, and so I relaxed.  Same scenario by evening, but he drank water and chewed pedigree lamb strips.

November 27, 2016 (Sunday), breakfast was neglected by Kendall but he was still on active mode playing and harassing his sibling Kylie. Lunch time he was neither eating nor drinking, but, he obliged to respond when I call him. I left the house in the afternoon to attend Sunday mass, when I returned by 11 pm, I was worried stricken when he approached me with unstable walk and vomited – yellowish bubbly saliva; This prompt me to make an emergency call to Kendall’s Vet.

November 28, 2016 (Monday) 1am, Kendall weighed 7.1 kg, his temperature was normal at 38^oC and was evidently weak. Initial findings was Parvovirus based on symptoms (1) severe vomiting (2) loss of appetite (3) Kendall was only 6 months old (canine 1 year old and below are susceptible to virus). To be 100% sure, we opted to use Parvovirus Antigen Test Kit.

Sampling swab was inserted to Kendall’s anal to coat thin layer of feces; feces-coated swab was immersed into the tube of predispensed sample extraction buffer; after vigorous swirling, drops of samples was transferred to kit and after 10 minutes the result showed two (2) lines to confirm positive of Parvovirus.

 

Parvovirus Test Kit; 2 lines means positive 

Will Kendall survive? Was my immediate question; and I was assured that parvovirus today is curable and 60% chances of recovery. Immediately shot of immunoglobulin, energy booster, antibiotic and IV fluid was administered to him. This scenario was physically tiring and budget draining for it had caused Php 3,750.00 (for initial treatment).  I was advised to confine Kendall for a minimum of 1 week, but after learning that he will be confined together with other sick dogs in one room, no lights from 6pm to 8am, and no assigned personnel at that shift, I decided to take Kendall home for he deserve better on battle such this.

November 29, 2016 (Tuesday) went back to Vet same medications were administered; I also brought Kylie for Immunoglobulin shot for immune defense. Kendall was quarantined in my room and he seemed to understand the scenario that he either tried to pull off his IV or moved out from his station. I placed a bowl of water by his side, but every time he drinks he will throw up double the volume he intake. Vet advised no need for water since IV fluids will sustain him from dehydration. Same day, a strong foul smell enveloped the house and it was coming in my room. Kendall had defecated dark brown liquid, but thankfully no traces of blood, I pity Kendall. Since parvovirus is highly contagious, can be transmitted with contact with an infected dog’s feces, highly resistant can live in environment for months, and may survive on inanimate objects we threw all pillows and cases, beddings, towels and washed my room walls and furnishings with 50:50 water-zonrox solution.

I did my own research and watched YouTube Videos posted by canine owners who experienced and survived parvovirus through home remedies. Critical phase was life threatening dehydration; and that the virus attacks rapidly dividing cells in dog’s body, most severely affecting the intestinal tract. From what I had learned, I opted and tried (1) Yakult drink in aid and strengthen digestive system priced at Php 60.00 for half dozen (2) Pedialyte to help prevent dehydration and replace nutrients and electrolytes lost through vomiting and diarrhea priced at Php 130.00 (3) D-Glucose Monohydrate a water soluble powder energy supplement Php 60.00 available in drugstores (4) The common and important remedy I appliead was the physical contact and affirmation of your love and support to you pet, which I could have not done if he was confined in the clinic.

November 30, 2016 (Wednesday) first thing I checked was Kendall’s diaper and it was dampened as sign he urinated and he is hydrated. We went back to the clinic for daily administration of medicine; Kendall had gained weight from 7.1 to 7.5 kgs. I consulted my Vet about my home remedies I had administered: 5 ml yakult, 5 ml Pedialyte and 5 ml D-Glucose Monohydrate hourly using syringe; she was upset and advised to stick with prescribed medication.

At home I continued my devised treatment and trusted my guts; vomiting was still observed for span of 8 hours, until he defecated but this time less foul smell and in semi-solid state.

December 1, 2016 (Thursday), routine shots of medications at clinic and reported developments. IV fluid was removed and decided it will be administered orally since Kendall was already mobile that it irritates him. For solid meal Hill’s Prescription diet Sante Digestive was recommended but advised to continue medications at clinic. Kendall continuously gained weight from 7.5 to 7.9 kgs.

December 2, 2016 (Friday), Kendall wake me up for he needs to pee, I was surprised as he ran downstairs as I opened the door. He barked and started running and playing with Kylie; I fed him the whole day with recommended Sante Digestives (diluted with water) administered orally through syringe. He drinks water without vomiting, poops with wet but in solid state. Every visit at Vet I pay Php 2,500 and decided not to bring him that day and continue my home medication.

December 3, 2016 (Saturday), Kendall’s appetite was back to normal he ate half kilo of boiled chicken breast for lunch and half roasted chicken for dinner. But, the sad part, Kylie showed symptoms of parvovirus. Since she had shots of immunoglobulin, we decided to do home medications by giving her hourly dosage of (leftover) IV fluids administered orally with use of syringe (needleless), Yakult, Pedialyte and D-Glucose Monohydrate.  After 3 days, Kylie had recovered without visiting Vet; and Kendall had fully recovered.