Sorry about the grammer, and spelling. I had not had my morning coffee at that point. 
Parvo puppy from shelter, advice/opinions
I recently picked up an awesome female Redbone Coonhound from a ASPCA shelter about 2 hours from me. I had her for one day and noticed some of the symtoms, but passed it off as stress related issues. The next day she started to throw up her food, so I took her to the doggy ER. I already knew what the Vet was going to tell me, but I had some hope. She threw a strong positive for the parvo virus. She spent the night there and was rehydrated, and watched. The next morning I took her to my normal Vet, where I hospitalized her to give her the best chances for recovery. I picked her up today and she is on the road to recovery and looking like she will be one of the survivors. She is eating like a horse, and annoying my poor old Beagle. I decided to NOT bring her back to the shelter simply because she deserved a chance to live just like those puppys that have had owners from the time they left the breeders. It was expensive but well worth it.
Is there any action that can be taken toward the shelter to insure that this doesn't happen to someone who else? I have contemplated calling them to inform them, but am waiting until I can talk to them in a civilized tone.
I also read that 80-90 percent of all shelters/hospitals/rescues have or have had some form of Parvo virus infection, but I would think that an ASPCA shelter would have higher standards then the others.
Is there any action that can be taken toward the shelter to insure that this doesn't happen to someone who else? I have contemplated calling them to inform them, but am waiting until I can talk to them in a civilized tone.
I also read that 80-90 percent of all shelters/hospitals/rescues have or have had some form of Parvo virus infection, but I would think that an ASPCA shelter would have higher standards then the others.
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LOL no worries about sp/gr Welcome to the forum!
My parents had the same thing with their first dog -Max-not parvo but distempter. Unfortunately it's very common for shelters to have outbreaks of these highly communicable diseases-there are too many animals in there. I know that they feel like they should have gone after the shelter after all they went through (he survived it)
Also our dog Mikey was born with Parvo and had a rough time of it.
Anyways -first and foremost get on the horn with the shelter-and ask to speak to supervisor/manager not the busy/stressed clerk who answers the phone. Ensure they know your dog had parvo confirmed and it came from their facility (the dog was not exposed after leaving). This is really really important as they need to know to be able to start early treatment (and often a full shelter cleanse etc).
I'm so glad your pup is recovering-there is a high fatality associated with Parvo and as I understand it takes a very good vet and very early intervention to make it -KUDOS and WOOT!
Welcome to the forum!My parents had the same thing with their first dog -Max-not parvo but distempter. Unfortunately it's very common for shelters to have outbreaks of these highly communicable diseases-there are too many animals in there. I know that they feel like they should have gone after the shelter after all they went through (he survived it)
Also our dog Mikey was born with Parvo and had a rough time of it.
Anyways -first and foremost get on the horn with the shelter-and ask to speak to supervisor/manager not the busy/stressed clerk who answers the phone. Ensure they know your dog had parvo confirmed and it came from their facility (the dog was not exposed after leaving). This is really really important as they need to know to be able to start early treatment (and often a full shelter cleanse etc).
I'm so glad your pup is recovering-there is a high fatality associated with Parvo and as I understand it takes a very good vet and very early intervention to make it -KUDOS and WOOT!
In about 30 minutes I am going to call the shelter and either drop a bombshell on them or confirm something they already knew. We shall see.
how old is your pup?
personally...if I adopt a dog under a year old from a shelter, I always know that parvo is a risk..and I just accept that risk.
Parvo incubates for almost two weeks, its possible there were no symptoms for the workers TO see.
...most shelters tho, allow you to return a sick dog, in exchange for a new one....not that that helps.
personally...if I adopt a dog under a year old from a shelter, I always know that parvo is a risk..and I just accept that risk.
Parvo incubates for almost two weeks, its possible there were no symptoms for the workers TO see.
...most shelters tho, allow you to return a sick dog, in exchange for a new one....not that that helps.
Scenthound-In canada (I'm not sure about the U.S.) -there is absolutely (sit down for this) NO regulations about using SPCA or Humane Society in any shelters name. In fact we have 13 Humane Societies in my province and ONLY one is 'accredited' to have the name.
I can't say that's the case where you are-but often shelters can call themselves whatever they want and it has no bearing on their practices
I can't say that's the case where you are-but often shelters can call themselves whatever they want and it has no bearing on their practices
I think that shelters...aspca or not...are underfunded and understaffed...and simply do the best they can.
Everyone I know in real life that has adopted a shelter puppy has lost it to parvo.
when I adopted Chili I was almost positive he would have it. I just chose to run with it.
Sorry this happend to you, but maybe next time a rescue organization, or an older dog would be a better choice for you. As much as that sucks to say... I think thats just reality.
Everyone I know in real life that has adopted a shelter puppy has lost it to parvo.
when I adopted Chili I was almost positive he would have it. I just chose to run with it.
Sorry this happend to you, but maybe next time a rescue organization, or an older dog would be a better choice for you. As much as that sucks to say... I think thats just reality.
Wow, I go to work and come home to this, lol. I agree with all of you. Let me clarify. All life is very valuable to me. I study life philosophy according to Buddha. I am also a self admitted idealist that is a bit opinionated (bad combo). This fact sometimes allows me to get angry at things I cannot change, and blurt out what I think about it. My mother use to tell me I have "foot in mouth" disease. I guess I must have come across as a "loudmouthed Texan", lol. I am sorry for that.
Overcrowded, under-manned, under-funded shelters are definately doing the best they can. In all the years I have had dogs, cats, birds, lizards, horses, cows, bulls, even a raccoon when I was a kid in Minnesota, I have only purchased from 2 breeders. All others were rescues and shelter animals. Honestly, this is the first Parvo puppy I have ever gotten. I must have just been lucky according the stats I have been reading on the net.
Overcrowded, under-manned, under-funded shelters are definately doing the best they can. In all the years I have had dogs, cats, birds, lizards, horses, cows, bulls, even a raccoon when I was a kid in Minnesota, I have only purchased from 2 breeders. All others were rescues and shelter animals. Honestly, this is the first Parvo puppy I have ever gotten. I must have just been lucky according the stats I have been reading on the net.
Very true No need to clarify-we all very much understand feeling upset at getting a sick dog Hows your pup doing now?
No need to clarify-we all very much understand feeling upset at getting a sick dog Hows your pup doing now?
Eating like a pig, drinking like a camel, and acting like there is nothing wrong. I truly hope that this is the end of it and she doesn't get worse. She has not thrown up for 4 days, and is starting to act like a hound pup for the first time since I have had her. My vet has been calling every day to check on her. I may have to ask her on a date and buy her dinner for the special attention, lol. I have been working a little with Missy when she is running around the yard acting like a fool and have already whistle trained her a couple of commands. She is actually one of the more remarkable hounds I have seen. She is definately from a strong bloodline. It is just to bad she went through this. I still am worried about her and will be until she is all healed up.Very true
i think you'll see that all of us on here suffer from "foot in mouth " syndrome (i prefer that to diseaseWow, I go to work and come home to this, lol. I agree with all of you. Let me clarify. All life is very valuable to me. I study life philosophy according to Buddha. I am also a self admitted idealist that is a bit opinionated (bad combo). This fact sometimes allows me to get angry at things I cannot change, and blurt out what I think about it. My mother use to tell me I have "foot in mouth" disease. I guess I must have come across as a "loudmouthed Texan", lol. I am sorry for that.
Overcrowded, under-manned, under-funded shelters are definately doing the best they can. In all the years I have had dogs, cats, birds, lizards, horses, cows, bulls, even a raccoon when I was a kid in Minnesota, I have only purchased from 2 breeders. All others were rescues and shelter animals. Honestly, this is the first Parvo puppy I have ever gotten. I must have just been lucky according the stats I have been reading on the net.
) from time to time. parvo is very nasty, understandable that you'd be upset (to say the least) parvo was almost epidemic where i grew up....i never lost one of my dogs to it, but lots of people i know did and it happened just like that...one sec they are fine and the next "sick as a dog" (if you'll excuse my poor use of pun here) we found out that a pup had parvo at a house we moved into and my mom bleached the entire place, yard, grass floors, everything.....on the bright side of everything, your beautiful girl is doing well, and that is awesome:rockon:
No worries or need to explain...we understand your upset. Glad your pup is going to make it. I've been there and back (not parvo, but everything else under the sun) for lack of a better way to say it...you just get "used" to it. Its worth it in the end...every penny.
I've been there and back (not parvo, but everything else under the sun) for lack of a better way to say it...you just get "used" to it. Its worth it in the end...every penny.
Crio, I like your reference to Pavlov's dog.
Well...One thing is for sure. She is the most expensive Shelter Dog I have ever had, lol. Sorry, I just looked at her and had a chuckle about that fact. Thanks for the chat everyone. I guess it was all I needed to relax.
Hound
Well...One thing is for sure. She is the most expensive Shelter Dog I have ever had, lol. Sorry, I just looked at her and had a chuckle about that fact. Thanks for the chat everyone. I guess it was all I needed to relax.
Hound
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