A High Commitment Team Dedicated to Caring for Your Pet
CASE #8
|
Buddy
|
 |
|
Buddy is a 4-month-old male 'schnoodle' with a great personality.
(A 'schnoodle' is a schnauzer/poodle mix!) Normally very outgoing,
it was concerning when he started to become lethargic soon after arriving
at his new home. Understandably, his owners were even more alarmed
when he began to vomit. Vomiting is an important sign of disease in any pet, especially a youngster like Buddy. In fact, vomiting can quickly become life threatening in smaller pets. Because many diseases present with these symptoms, a variety of tests may be required to determine the specific problem. In this case, a quick in-house test revealed the cause of his ailment. Buddy was infected by parvovirus. Parvovirus (or 'parvo') is a disease that causes vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and inappetence in dogs. While any dog can contract the disease, puppies are very susceptible. At birth most puppies enjoy immunity to parvovirus thanks to antibodies they acquire from their mom. However, these maternal antibodies begin to wane around 8 weeks of age and a series of vaccinations are required to stimulate them to develop their own immunity. This time before their immune system is up to par is a vulnerable stage for puppies. Fortunately, Buddy's owners are especially alert and they recognized the signs of disease early in its course. Parvo is a disease that attacks rapidly growing cells, and as a result it affects the intestinal lining and bone marrow most severely. Treatment is intense because patients battle increased susceptibility to bacterial infections of the blood, dehydration, and low blood sugar. As a result, Buddy was hospitalized and received intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Parvo puppies need to be treated with extreme care, because not only are they susceptible to other diseases they are very contagious to other dogs as well. To address this issue, we have a special isolation ward in our hospital where we can provide optimum care for sick animals. Patience is a virtue and it can take some time for puppies like Buddy to get back on their feet. After 7 days of treatment, he finally began to eat on his own and his frisky personality had returned. Today Buddy enjoys lots of attention from the family that saved his life. Once recovering from parvo, he should live a normal lifespan and suffer no lasting effects from his rough puppyhood. Although parvo is a dangerous disease, it can usually be successfully treated with early hospitalization and good nursing care. As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and this case demonstrates the importance of frequent well-check examinations and a series of vaccinations in puppies. |
|
2627 Cordes Drive Sugar Land, Texas 77479 24-Hour Emergency Care for Our Clients Phone:(281) 980-3737 Fax: (281) 265-5584 Email:info@lexingtonpethospital.com |
 |