1. Unfortunately, I know about this all too well. A few years ago out of a litter of 4 pups, two contracted parvo. We lost Daphne, but thru quick vet action we were able to save Max. Please, Please be sure that your babies are protected from this terrible disease. As a side note, later Max developed seizures (dog epilepsi, I think). I always wondered if the parvo might have contributed to that. Anyone have any ideas?

Posted at 10:33AM on Jun 28th 2007 by Christine

2. 5 of the 6 puppies got sick. Statistics show that without care there is a 20% survival rate. With intensive care a dog's chances are 50/50 and there is an 80% survival rate. The fact that all of these pups survived is miraculous and wouldn't have happened were it not for Merial and a great veterinary team.

I found very good information about parvo at http://www.marvistavet.com/html/canine_parvovirus.html, http://www.workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm and http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&articleid=467

Posted at 11:35AM on Jun 28th 2007 by Laurentha

3. I had a litter of 8 get parvo when they were only three and a half weeks old. All but one survived. I cared for them in my home, giving them fluids through a syringe as well as antibiotics. Each puppy went through the sickness for about 2 or 3 days and pulled through, except the one. He was the first to show symptoms and unfortunately he didnt receive treatment quickly enough.

I had a tip to give raw eggs through the syringe too and I did. Whether this helped them recover will never be known, but it certainly did not hurt.

I have also been told that once they have parvo they can never have it again, but don't stop vaccinating just because of that!

Posted at 2:47PM on Jun 28th 2007 by Stephanie Martin

4. According to every site I've read, once they have parvo, the CAN get it again. There is no lifetime immunity.

Posted at 8:40PM on Jun 28th 2007 by Laurentha

5. I lost 2 teaccup chichiuas to that dreaded bug it is not a pretty sight to see them go through MAKE SURE YOU GET ALL DOGS VACCINATED THIS IS A KILLER!!!!!!!!

Posted at 10:53AM on Jun 29th 2007 by debbie

6. BACK IN APRIL, MY FEMALE DOG HAD 11 PUPPIES,FIVE OF THEM DIED FROM PARVO, THE REST WERE GIVE AWAY, AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY WORD ON HOW THEY ARE DOING. BUTI AM DOWN TO ONE WHO SURVIED IT,AND IS DOING GREAT!!

Posted at 1:07PM on Jun 29th 2007 by LADONNA MORGAN

7. I'm glad the pups are ok! But, I think this story not only highlights the need for proper vaccination, but the ability to afford the vaccinations and/or hospitalizations for those who choose to be breeders. If you cannot afford the potential of a sick litter, then you shouldn't be breeding.

Posted at 11:27PM on Jun 29th 2007 by Pam

8. With parvo, the viruse can live upto 1 year after ward. I was told to destory what I could and bleach what I couldn't. Also if you had visitors, and they have pets make sure the vacinate their pets. That the virsue could be carried on soles of shoes.

Posted at 11:29PM on Jun 29th 2007 by Wendy

9. Almost a decade ago, I bought a Tea Cup Poodle and a Miniature Collie from a man who assured me they were immunized. They met their vet and got up to date with a provider. Within a week they were showing signs of sickness and they were taken to the vet for another visit and I was told they had Parvo. The Vet actually asked me if I wanted to put them down.

As I understand, Parvo is a disease that attacks the lining of the intestinal tract. The animals get dehydrated and literally poop their insides out.

Unwilling to accept this, I asked the vet to give some antibiotics and give me a script for Lactated Ringers Solution and .45% Normal Saline Solution.
As a nurse, I put IV access in both and every 4 hours alternated the LR and NS in a bolus (I would know they were well hydrated when they pee'd, at first all they could do is lie there and pee, they were really looking bad) and within 4 days the puppy's were doing well. They are still pretty happy, but with other families now. Only adverse affect, my black Tea Cup Poodle turned gray.

The disease is devastating but keeping the puppy hydrated, thereby keeping the bowel hydrated is crucial. The IV's aren't cheap, but having them at home and caring for them was an experience I'll never forget.

Posted at 12:01AM on Jun 30th 2007 by Joe

10. Laurentha,

I definately do not like posting things that do not have validity so I checked. The first site I looked at had this quote by a vet:

"A good thing about parvo is, once dogs get it, they don't usually get it again," explains Dr. Ridgway. http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=465

I think what is important to understand is that to a puppy this is a severe disease and regardless of future immunity, vaccinations should be current.

You are the breeder of these pups? How far back does their pedigree go? Do you know about the parents and grandparents? I am not a pit bull enthusiast, but I do consider that with careful and selective breeding, there is at least some chance of improving the breed and getting rid of the violent genes. I would love to see that happen, but for that to occur, breeders of pits need to be extra responsible. For the most part, that does not seem to be the case, unfortunately. I hope you are one of the handful of responsible breeders in the world.

Posted at 12:14AM on Jun 30th 2007 by Stephanie Martin

11. Laurentha,

This copy/paste came from the the first link you posted.

Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations. Your puppy cannot be re-infected with this virus for at least 3 years (and probably is protected for life simply by virtue of this infection)

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/caring_for_the_recovered_dog.html

Posted at 12:28AM on Jun 30th 2007 by Stephanie Martin

12. In response to the above comments:

The websites quoted do not state that there is lifelong immunity once a dog has this disease. That is why I emphasized that they can get it again. They will still need their regular boosters.

The reason I wasn't able to afford the inpatient care is because of a series of events including my husband having emergency surgery and being unable to work for two months. No work means no paycheck.

Yes, I am the breeder of the pups and owner of both parents who are gentle, loving dogs. Both are from good bloodlines so yes, this was a careful breeding. The fact that we are being very selective in who they go to is the reason we still have them at 12 weeks.

On a side note, we have another female pit that was recently spayed due to health reasons. She has one kidney larger then the other, we don't know how well her smaller kidney is functioning and a pregnancy could kill her. This will also be the last litter for the mom of these pups.

Posted at 6:00PM on Jul 2nd 2007 by Laurentha

13. I work at an animal clinic .I can't stress how important it is that all your animals are up to date on check ups and vaccines..I've seen alot of sad things happen to those that weren't

Posted at 9:45PM on Jul 2nd 2007 by angela

14. how does a pitbull come down with this disease

Posted at 1:04PM on Jul 14th 2007 by glenn mccallum

15. For Glenn: Information about this dreaded virus may be found at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_parvovirus

Parvovirus is not limited to Pit Bulls. All dogs need to be protected with a series of vaccinations.

PetsMiou
Jo

Posted at 2:12PM on Jul 15th 2007 by Jo

16. This data really helped me as a first time pet owner of two puppies 11 weeks old I have had no shots and one has been ill for several days eating and then not and now vomiting. I started with probiotics as recommended on one site but now I will rush it to the vet! Now that I see this blog. Thanks very much!

Posted at 1:59PM on Jul 18th 2007 by Melanie Lekas

17. that is sad.it is a cute dog.

Posted at 10:14AM on Jul 19th 2007 by alexis

18. Even if your dogs are upto date on the shots they can still get parvo. I found out the hard was as my little girl Sassy got it she was a year old and pregnant and got parvo to the vet we went one week and a $1000.00 later she was able to come home and two weeks after that we had three beautiful babies. Its a nasty thing for dogs to get and alot don't make it even taking them to the vet.

Posted at 3:29AM on Aug 16th 2007 by Tina Kitchen

19. I had bought a American Bulldog thrue a pet store and she had parvo .She in turn gave it to my other dog and we fought it for a week . I lost him on Thanksgiving day 2 years ago . The pet store had a out break of it the day after i got my lil girl from them . When i called the pet store to let them know she was sick and to find out what to do with her the girl on the other end of the phone saide dont bring her here as they are takeing all of the puppies to the owners house and are going to kill them . I contacted the police and PITA to see what could be done as they had over 20 puppies in the store when i was there . Well needless to say they found the puppies at the owners home "Thank God " still alive and forced her to treat them and account for every one of them . No help for mine from them but they would take her back and have her put to sleep . As they called it as she was hopeless in their opinion . No . I kept her treated her and my other baby . Lost him but she is now a 86lbs. big baby who loves every one . and Needless to say as healthey as and as big as a horse .

Posted at 6:37AM on Aug 16th 2007 by shelby

20. Your comments: I had bought a American Bulldog thrue a pet store and she had parvo
.She in turn gave it to my other dog and we fought it for a week . I
lost him on Thanksgiving day 2 years ago . The pet store had a out
break of it the day after i got my lil girl from them . When i called
the pet store to let them know she was sick and to find out what to do
with her the girl on the other end of the phone saide dont bring her
here as they are takeing all of the puppies to the owners house and
are going to kill them . I contacted the police and PITA to see what
could be done as they had over 20 puppies in the store when i was
there . Well needless to say they found the puppies at the owners
home "Thank God " still alive and forced her to treat them and
account for every one of them . No help for mine from them but they
would take her back and have her put to sleep . As they called it as
she was hopeless in their opinion . No . I kept her treated her and
my other baby . Lost him but she is now a 86lbs. big baby who loves
every one . and Needless to say as healthey as and as big as a horse

Posted at 6:41AM on Aug 16th 2007 by shelby