JuliaH
Senior Member
In another conversation on another forum Parvo is being discussed. An affected youngster basically infected an entire litter and the mother too.
This is worth discussion, and I hope no one here is having problems this year. I worked for a veterinarian for several years and have seen what this awful virus can do... To me, it is essential to have your veterinarian involved, and it is not cheap to treat, or to disinfect the area.
Bleach does kill the virus. That's not bad in the kennel and maybe even in the yard, but in the house, it would be an interesting problem... but it has to be done. The virus lives a long time in the environment.
I have done, and still do on very limited basis, some rescue, but those dogs are not ever in contact with my dogs for any reason. I will not bring this into my yard/kennel/house if I have any control.
I bleach my kennels regularly too, just in case.... where there is fecal matter and even uneaten food, there is bacteria and viruses like that too. So, bleach. Dogs are not on dirt. Kennels and drains rinsed at least once a day. Good ole powdered lime is used in dirt areas that I have to clean.
I NEVER use vaccinations from the feed stores, but if you do, keep in mind that shipping vaccinations matters. Did your feed store have the vaccinations shipped in cooled containers and are they kept refrigerated properly? That's how to keep them fresh. When I order from my supplier, I pay the extra for overnite shipping and for dry ice and a cooler to ship in and they are kept in a good refrigerator. It has been worth the extra cost.
Here is a bit of what my reaction to the parvo virus was on the other conversation. And, I hope if any of our veterinarians are reading, that they might comment. The more we know, the safer our kennels are I am only attempting to be helpful here...
"Parvo is easy for pups to get. It should be treated by a veterinarian, and the treatment is not cheap. A litter of pups would be cost ineffective.... but it is not seen often in kennels that are kept very clean, where unvaccinated/unknown pups are kept out, and where vaccinations are handled properly. Vaccinations from the feed store, or not shipped properly are probably ineffective, or weakened. Once the virus is in your area/kennel/home, it takes a lot of real work to get rid of it. It can live in the ground for a year or more.... It is harder for adults to get it, but it is not unheard of in younger adults.... that is why I asked the age of the mother.
Lots of fluids and time and maybe some home remedies and the dogs may survive. By the time symptons are seen, the damage in the intestinal tract is already done. Treatment is support and some other veterinary decisions until the virus runs its course.
During the time I worked for a veterinarian, only a strong bleach solution was trusted to kill the virus to keep the hospital area safe for all dogs.
As to what can be done... LOTS of fluids, electrolytes, etc until stools are firm and pups/dogs can eat without vomiting. GET YOUR VETERINARIAN INVOLVED."
This is worth discussion, and I hope no one here is having problems this year. I worked for a veterinarian for several years and have seen what this awful virus can do... To me, it is essential to have your veterinarian involved, and it is not cheap to treat, or to disinfect the area.
Bleach does kill the virus. That's not bad in the kennel and maybe even in the yard, but in the house, it would be an interesting problem... but it has to be done. The virus lives a long time in the environment.
I have done, and still do on very limited basis, some rescue, but those dogs are not ever in contact with my dogs for any reason. I will not bring this into my yard/kennel/house if I have any control.
I bleach my kennels regularly too, just in case.... where there is fecal matter and even uneaten food, there is bacteria and viruses like that too. So, bleach. Dogs are not on dirt. Kennels and drains rinsed at least once a day. Good ole powdered lime is used in dirt areas that I have to clean.
I NEVER use vaccinations from the feed stores, but if you do, keep in mind that shipping vaccinations matters. Did your feed store have the vaccinations shipped in cooled containers and are they kept refrigerated properly? That's how to keep them fresh. When I order from my supplier, I pay the extra for overnite shipping and for dry ice and a cooler to ship in and they are kept in a good refrigerator. It has been worth the extra cost.
Here is a bit of what my reaction to the parvo virus was on the other conversation. And, I hope if any of our veterinarians are reading, that they might comment. The more we know, the safer our kennels are I am only attempting to be helpful here...
"Parvo is easy for pups to get. It should be treated by a veterinarian, and the treatment is not cheap. A litter of pups would be cost ineffective.... but it is not seen often in kennels that are kept very clean, where unvaccinated/unknown pups are kept out, and where vaccinations are handled properly. Vaccinations from the feed store, or not shipped properly are probably ineffective, or weakened. Once the virus is in your area/kennel/home, it takes a lot of real work to get rid of it. It can live in the ground for a year or more.... It is harder for adults to get it, but it is not unheard of in younger adults.... that is why I asked the age of the mother.
Lots of fluids and time and maybe some home remedies and the dogs may survive. By the time symptons are seen, the damage in the intestinal tract is already done. Treatment is support and some other veterinary decisions until the virus runs its course.
During the time I worked for a veterinarian, only a strong bleach solution was trusted to kill the virus to keep the hospital area safe for all dogs.
As to what can be done... LOTS of fluids, electrolytes, etc until stools are firm and pups/dogs can eat without vomiting. GET YOUR VETERINARIAN INVOLVED."