Bruno: New pup with parvo

[Gizabelle]

I've been debating whether or not to create this thread...part of me feels like it could be jinxing him, but at the same time we could really use the good vibes and support.

This Saturday we brought home a 4 1/2 month old boxer mix. We got the devastating confirmation today that he has parvo. We are seeing all the horrible classic symptoms and he is one very sick boy.
Fortunately, we have an absolutely fantastic vet. They got us in first thing this morning. Being a small rural clinic however, they did not have isolation space, so they gave him an anti-nausea injection and sent us back home to handle supportive care ourselves. If all goes (more or less) smoothly he'll go back for a recheck on Thursday, but I'll be checking in with them daily.
So far he has been doing well with the sub q fluids. Still alert, and still waits to be taken out to go potty, but also still refusing food and water. This is only the end of the first day of treatment, and I know I can't expect too much but I really was hoping to see some interest in food/water by tonight.

He is such a sweet boy, my heart goes out to him. He barely knows us, and having to go through something like this in a strange place with strangers must be truly awful. I'm living for every minute little tail wag.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I've been debating whether or not to create this thread...part of me feels like it could be jinxing him, but at the same time we could really use the good vibes and support.

This Saturday we brought home a 4 1/2 month old boxer mix. We got the devastating confirmation today that he has parvo. We are seeing all the horrible classic symptoms and he is one very sick boy.
Fortunately, we have an absolutely fantastic vet. They got us in first thing this morning. Being a small rural clinic however, they did not have isolation space, so they gave him an anti-nausea injection and sent us back home to handle supportive care ourselves. If all goes (more or less) smoothly he'll go back for a recheck on Thursday, but I'll be checking in with them daily.
So far he has been doing well with the sub q fluids. Still alert, and still waits to be taken out to go potty, but also still refusing food and water. This is only the end of the first day of treatment, and I know I can't expect too much but I really was hoping to see some interest in food/water by tonight.

He is such a sweet boy, my heart goes out to him. He barely knows us, and having to go through something like this in a strange place with strangers must be truly awful. I'm living for every minute little tail wag.
View attachment 2979674

I am so sorry you're going through this with your new pup. By 4 1/2 months, he should be either completely vaccinated for parvo or at least finishing the last courses of vaccination for it. Did the previous owner/breeder/home give you any vaccine records?

At this point you're doing everything you can. Working with your vet is the best thing you can do right now. I would suggest asking for a critical care food (often times it's a wet food, or a mix you can make).

I hope your pup recovers soon!

 

[-Flash-]

Hugs for you and the dog.

 

[Gizabelle]

Rough morning. Woke up to a blowout in the bathroom.
Poor Bruno is less responsive this morning as well. Very little reaction until I got to the final subq site. He's currently getting 250ml divided between 3-4 sites twice daily. He's absolutely heartbreaking. I'll be putting in a call to the vet to see if there is anything else we can do to help him through this.

 

[Gizabelle]

No previous vaccine history, he was a borderline rescue case. We're sticklers for vaccines and proper veterinary care, we just let emotions win over common sense this time and brought home a puppy that crashed on us before we could get him to the vet on Monday for a standard check up. I'll post background story later.

 

[topochico225]

Oh, I’m so sorry. I rescued my current dog (he’s 15 now) off the street when he was a puppy. He had obviously been abused. Shortly after he came home with us, he was diagnosed with parvo after we found him behind the A/C unit in the yard, having crawled there to die. He was in the vet’s office for a few weeks, but he’s a little fighter and he made it. The sound of his little tail thumping on the metal isolation crate when he heard our voices let us know he wouldn’t give up.

I surely hope the same is true for your sweet dog and you. Prayers for all of y’all during this awful ordeal

 

[Folly's place]

You may need to drive to an emergency clinic, or at least a place with hospital care options. And more meds, probably injectable. Poor guy, didn't have the care he needed before you got him. Really sad.
Hang in there!
Your place will be contaminated with this virus for at least a year...
Mary

 

[Gizabelle]

Tough day for Bruno, but he's still fighting. I took him out to go potty mid morning and watched him stumble and struggle to take just a few steps. I immediately called our vet and they got him back in just after lunch. By that time he was no longer picking up his head, and was limp being carried. I had a horrible sinking feeling driving there that I would be saying goodbye.
He did his best to perk up a little in the clinic. My vet is absolutely amazing. He's been practicing for over 40 years, has seen it all, and has a heart of gold. He says this virus is so very very nasty, but an older puppy in good body condition like Bruno has a fighting chance. He's seen countless dogs in terrible shape, and I trust his judgement completely. So on we go.
He put in a cath and we've switched to IV fluids with dextrose. He also gave him a Cerenia injection (and another for me to give him tomorrow) for vomiting, inflammation, and pain.
So now I'm doing IV fluids every hour in 4hr increments (4hrs, skip 2, 4hrs...)
My vet thinks if he can pull through the next 24 hrs he's got a really good shot.

Just finished a round of fluids, and while he's certainly worse than yesterday, he's looking much better than earlier today at the hospital.

 

[Gizabelle]

Thank you to all reading...
I intended this thread as a diary of sorts (my way of processing this, I suppose)
I've nursed some very sick animals in the past, but this poor boy is in the worst shape by far.
As long as he's still fighting though, I'll be right there with him.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Following!
He is adorable!
I'm so sorry!