9 week Pupper with Parvo

Yes, you guys are right. I suppose I am feeling sensitive to the fact that Trinity was wandering around a pet store - and happened to get parvo......

I just see so many pet stores allowing puppies to wander around - to get attention - at the adoption events.  Now that I realize how at risk they are, it just doesn't make sense.

I just spoke with the vet and it sounds like she is doing well this evening.. she is off the fluids for the moment and just under observation. That's got to be good right?

 Also, more dogs die in shelters because they have behavior problems, than die from communicable diseases. Socialization is *so* important! 

My Emma is a parvo survivor, and I still feel the same way about socialization as I did before I got her. It's the FIRST priority. I'm glad that Trinity seems to be doing well! I hope that she heals, quickly, and completely.

Trinity99

I just spoke with the vet and it sounds like she is doing well this evening.. she is off the fluids for the moment and just under observation. That's got to be good right?

YOu're right -- that IS good.  Still keeping track of this one -- good thots and prayers still coming for you!

Trinity99

she is off the fluids for the moment and just under observation. That's got to be good right?

"Under observation" probably means that she will get to come home within the next couple of days.

She will be weak, but you can still work on her socialization - especially the "see" and "hear" parts since you can carry her.  Here are some sites with good ideas:

• "The Puppy's Rule of Twelve" 
  http://ahimsadogtraining.com/handouts/puppy-training-and-socialization.html
• http://www.canismajor.com/dog/sochow2.html
• http://www.dogscouts.org/Puppies_section.html
• http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-puppy.htm#soc

The primary socialization window closes at 12 weeks and the secondary window closes at 16 weeks. 

As soon as Trinity is strong enough get her into a good puppy class (not a pet store class).  Socializing with other dogs is a very important skill for her, too.  You want a class where they disinfect the floors before every class and where they are strict about sending home any pup with a runny nose.

Playing with other puppies and healthy, puppy-friendly adult dogs will also help to teach bite inhibition!  The best way for you to work on bite inhibition is to give a couple of very high-pitched, "hurt puppy" yelps whenever her teeth hurt you.  Gradually you yelp at less and less pressure until you convince her that even touching you (or your clothes) with a tooth causes you pain. 

Glad to hear she's doing better!! :)

Keep in mind that a good puppy class will require you to wait *at least* 3 weeks before entering to ensure that your pup is no longer shedding the virus.  In my classes I would have to do a LOT of homework before I let a parvo pup in, honestly, because it only takes a little of the virus to cause major issues with puppies that haven't completed their vaccine series.

Thank you everyone for the good thoughts and advice.

I called the vet this am and they again said she was doing well.... no negative reactions to the meds.... Phew.  Our vet is located  in an area that is closed off today for a HUGE street celebration.. so we can't even visit her today.  Today is going to be a LONG day. We are very eager to bring her home.

As for the socialization - I completely agree... and have a wonderful neighbor that has a 1 year old lab/sheppard mix dog. They've already contacted their vet to understand WHEN Trinity can play with their dog.... given the parvo and pneumonia.   They live across the street so when we take Trin out to pee - they dogs see each other - they both start barking at each other but - wagging tails - like old friends wanting to play.  It will be so great once Trinity is able to be around other dogs.  We can tell already that she is very comfortable around other dogs (she had a brother and sister and was in a shelter that had a number of other dogs that were kept in the same play area as her).

 Thanks for the resources....I will spend some time today doing more research/ killing time until we can bring her home.  I haev started researching training programs - and was wondering how good the pet store ones were, vs. the personal home visits.  From what I read - I guess the classes are better than the personal trainers - as they offer the socialization too????

Thanks again will keep you all posted on her progress.

Since I pointed you to the site with "The Puppy's Rule of Twelve", I need to point out something on that site that just does not made sense.

"Most of the new puppy vaccines can be given starting at 6 weeks old, and start being effective for relatively clean environments about 10 days later. Previous vaccines would fight with the immunization given by the mother and thus lose effectiveness, but newer vaccines have solved this problem, so we can vaccinate earlier than we could years ago. After your puppy gets his first round of shots, he is ready to be carefully exposed to the world. We still need to minimize risks for disease until the vaccinations are complete (usually 3 sets of combo shots) and keep the socialization fun for your puppy."  ????

Comments on the above:

• The problem with the mother's antibodies neutralizing a vaccine has not been solved.
• The vaccine that works is the first one given after the mother's antibodies are gone.
• Most pups get no benefit from a shot at 6-weeks and their effective shot can actually be delayed.
• Three shots are given because there is wide variation in the age when the mother's antibodies are gone.
• Large combo shots force the immune system to handle many diseases at once.  They also make it difficult to identify the cause if a reaction occurs.
• Many combos contain unneeded or questionable vaccines like Corona or Giardia.  Some even contain Lepto whose reaction rate is much too high for it to be given in a combo.

Great News.  Trinity is home and feeling so much better. She is full of energy... acting like a puppy should. Now if only there was a way to bottle this energy.........  And what's with all the biting?  She really must have been feeling like CRAP the last 2 weeks - cause she didn't have 2% of the energy she has today! 

It's great to have our Trinity back!!! Yipee!!

When I was little my mother used to say that last day before she sent me back to school "Ok, I can tell -- YOU are feeling better!! You're feeling good enough to be a PILL!!!!" LOL

Glad things are going well!!

Glad to hear that Trinity is home! 

The biting is completely normal puppy play.  She is treating you like another puppy, so you have to act like one.  Yelp like a hurt puppy (high pitched) and ignore her for 30 seconds (don't even look at her) when she hurts you.

Have you decided the details of the vaccine protocol you intend to use?  There is a lot of controversy in that area.

Here are some subjects that dog owners should know about.  Let me know if you would like me to elaborate.

• Xylitol - a sweetner in many sugar-free items - highly toxic to dogs (often fatal)
• Rimadyl (Carprofen) - a NSAID with possible severe side effects (sometimes fatal)
  http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html
• Proheart6 - a 6-month pesticide injection for heartworms - no antidote - first version killed many dogs
• Thimerosal - a preservative in some vaccines - contains mercury - banned in children's vaccines
• MLV vaccines - Modified Live Vaccines

Suggested front page items for a dog's medical chart:

• No Proheart6.
• No vaccines with Thimerosal. 
• No vaccines from multi-dose vials.  (bacterial contamination issues)
• No other Ft. Dodge products without prior written permission except if necessary during emergency procedures.  (safety issues)
• No Rimadyl (Carprofen) without prior written permission.  (a drug of last resort)
• Syringes are to be filled and shots administered in front of owner.  (May not be practical for nervous owners)
• Vaccine vial labels are to be glued/taped into the dog's chart.  (Helps to trace vaccine batch problems)
• No procedures away from the owner without strong justification.

Are you feeding a large breed puppy food?  What are the first 5 ingredients?

thanks - this is great info....

I have to ask... why the last bullet. I was just telling my husband that there is one vet that I don't like seeing (I have started specifically requesting a certain Dr when we go to the vets office).... The reason that I don't like the one vet is that he always takes Trinity to the back rooms for the exam and tests... NOTHING is done in front of us.  Why is this?  I understand the need to take the animals in the back for blood work or some tests - buteven simple temperature checks?  I am guessing I am not wrong to NOT like this......

 I don't like it, because it gives them an excuse to handle the dog too roughly. Some dogs do act out in their owners' presence, but if your dog is one of those, you'll know, and happily leave the room, to calm her down.