April 2009 - Jess Koslowski
Jess beats the dreaded Parvovirus
Jess is a 7 month old tricolour Border collie. She is a typical puppy who enjoys exploring her surroundings and finding her feet. Unfortunately, in late March she suddenly became unwell with a life threatening condition.
Her owners bought Jess in to the surgery following a sudden onset of vomiting which had started two days previously.
The vet carried out a full clinical examination only to reveal a high temperature. The vet concluded that the vomiting was caused by a dietary indiscretion. Jess was placed onto antibiotics and was asked to return the following day. Later that day the vet received a phone call informing him that Jess was now passing frank blood, diarrhoea and becoming very lethargic.
Following the vets advice, Jess’s owners rushed her into the surgery along with a faecal sample. On arrival a blood sample was obtained and was run in the practice lab to help establish the cause of the illness. The vet was suspicious that Jess may be suffering from the highly contagious disease Parvovirus. A test designed to confirm this was performed. The test showed a faint reaction to the blood sample but was not enough to confirm or eliminate the diagnosis. Jess was immediately admitted to the isolation ward as a precaution and placed on intravenous fluids, antibiotics and antiemetics. The faecal sample was sent to an external laboratory for further tests. The results came back positive to the Parvovirus despite Jess being fully vaccinated.
Parvovirus is one of the most resistant viruses and can survive in the environment for long periods of times. Dogs of any age are susceptible if they have insufficient or an absence of antibodies. The severity of the disease depends on the age and immune status of the animal. It can cause sudden death in young puppies, anorexia, persistent vomiting and diarrhoea which is red in colour and foul smelling.
Jess was given high doses of triple combination antibiotics, electrolytes and a specialised medication to help fight the virus. The fluids helped to support her during the disease and replace the body fluids she lost through vomiting and diarrhoea. Although in isolation Jess was intensively monitored and cared for. Over the next few days Jess showed little improvement and there were no signs of a bubbly seven month old puppy. Despite being offered roast chicken she still would not eat! Later she turned a corner her tail began to wag and she began to look like a seven month old puppy again including sulking when she didn’t get her own way.
By Saturday Jess was allowed home to finish her recovery but she was to be house bound for a further three weeks until the vets were happy she was no longer contagious. Her appetite returned and so did her playful nature. If Jess had not been vaccinated the outcome may have been drastically different.
For her bravery and recovery through this deadly disease Jess truly does deserve to be Aprils Braveheart.
