Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi guys,
My last post here was about Oscar who was 7-9wks old, Terrier mix, rescued from the Desert here in Palm Springs, CA. We had to put him to sleep from first from possible Parvo but definately a battle with Vasculitis, the Vasculitis went away but his hind leg hock joint went septic and it spread to 3 of his other joints over night, we had to put him to sleep. One Vet made the doctorate decision that he was never convinced the puppy had Parvo. 2 other doctors believe he did. One other was certain the puppy didn't have Parvo. Nobody knows for certain weighing 2 in one hand, 2 in the other.
I haven't been back since I announced we put the pup to sleep. Primarily because I was going through the cope of the loss.
With all of this said.....
I am a huge softy. I have 6 animals which have all been rescued from being dumped off, abusive and violent homes, one lived in the ASPCA for 7 years of his life. Those are just the dogs. We rescued a Guinnea pig from a dumpster. We rescued 2 Ferrets from a river which were obviously dumped off. So I have a huge tremendous heart for doing what I can within my limits to rescue animals. I'm far from a horder LOL.
Again, with that said....
Today, my roommate and I went to Petco ONLY to get conditioner for our Salt Water tank. Needless to say, we never walked out with it LOL.
Today, a lady was there from a shelter. She had 2 puppies who were brothers. A female dog was brought in pregenant. She had 2 babies in the ASPCA. The agent from the ASPCA brought the 2 puppies in. Needless to say, if they didn't find a home by Wednesday they were being transferred to another shelter or euthanized. Big softy me, I called a friend looking for a dog. She and I took the 2 pups.
I have NOT brought the puppy into my home yet until I can get some answers... I will not bring the puppy into my home until I get some answers.
Here is my question...
The puppy that I "rescued" today is a 5 month old (Today August 20th is at exactly 5 months). He is neutered and up to date on all of his shots (including puppy shots) except rabies which he will get between now and in 2 weeks. He's had all of his puppy shots, he is microchipped with Home Again, he is very healthy. He's never been sick. He eats like a horse.
He is a Terrier mix with Dachshund, and I think the mother may have at least had some greyhound in her because he has the long skinny legs.
So...
Can this puppy catch the Distemper or Parvo Virus IF in fact the puppy we had to put down 2 weeks ago had it.
The agent from the ASPCA says he cannot because he's had all of his puppy shots. The nurse at my vet says he cannot. The doctor says, "I can never say he cannot, it's 50/50."
I'm asking here because I know there are vets on here.
What do you think? Honestly?
IF there's a chance, I do have a possible home for him if I cannot at this time.
Thanks Paw Mates! 🙂
My opinion is affected by the fact that my breed (Rottweiler) is one that is particularly susceptible to parvovirus.
I would not introduce a new puppy or young dog into my home so soon after a loss that could have been parvo. Parvovirus can survive a long time in the environment, particularly outdoors - nine to 12 months would be when you could consider the outdoor environment safe. Diluted bleach kills parvovirus on hard surfaces but obviously not everything inside your home would be bleach safe.
If the new puppy has had all his puppy shots, he is *probably* protected but no way to know for sure without a titre. If vaccinations were started too early, the first shot might have been ineffective due to the presence of maternal antibodies.
Kathi Wilson
Chicago, IL
I'm no vet but I agree with vomviersen (who knows Rottie pups very well!). You can't be too careful with Parvo.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh gosh! I hate to jump in but the the thought that crossed my mind when you lost your little baby was "Oh dear, now you can't get a dog for a long while because of the Parvo.".
I'll just tell you my experience, because I didn't listen to the vet...
Years ago, I got a puppy out of the pound and it had Parvo (a lot did back then). I had it for about 1 week and it got Parvo and didn't make it. I rescued a 5 year huge chow/lab mix at the same time to give to my brother. She stayed at my house about 2 weeks until I could get her to my brother. The 5 year old also got Parvo but because it was older, it handled it and got over it rather easily.
A month later, I bleached my entire house even tho the vet said to wait but I got a puppy anyway. I wouldn't let it go in the back yard to potty. I felt very confident. It got Parvo within 3 weeks. However, it survived after several days in the vet! She was fine after that. I learned my lesson though. My vet told me to wait six months and I didn't listen. I was lucky.
The only advice now is to react really quickly if you even suspect parvo! I had left over antibiotics from the puppy that died and when the new puppy threw up, I popped an antibiotic and immediately took it to the vet.
I hope that helps. I know it's not what you want to hear but I have to be honest.
Sending lots of good wishes!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
How many Parvo vaccines did this pup have? He would need to have at least 2 given 3-4 weeks apart to be protected at 5 months of age. There are also different strains of Parvo and not all vaccines carry the same strain and some vaccines are better than others. We have a lot of Parvo in our area and we have had good luck with the Pfizer vaccine. We use the one that also protects for the new Lepto strains.
Parvovirus can be killed with a 10% bleach solution but it is very hard to try and decontaminate your yard. Puppies are much more prone to picking up the virus than adults because their immune systems aren't fully functional yet. Your pup may be okay but I would tend to agree with your vet and give 50/50 odds since it is so soon since you lost your last pup. I usually tell people to wait 6 months before adding a puppy.
If it has been over 4 weeks since his last vaccine your vet could give a parvo booster just to be on the safe side!
Pam
Hi there guys!
Here is what we did... When the old puppy was being treated for Parvo, if he had it. He was in the animal hospital for a weekend. All that weekend we bleached everything in all honesty we used more than 10% bleach. We went through at least 5 gallons of bleach. We bleached the walls, ceilings, we even bleached the couches and all other furniture. (Needless to say we bleached too much and are now using covers on them). We do have grass and a ton of plants. We took a spray bottle, added about 20% bleach, rest hot water and sprayed EVERYTHING in the yard.
Once we put the pup to sleep, we did this all over again. We've even changed the air filter twice in the furnace.
The pup has had all of his puppy shots EXCEPT Rabies. I got a copy of the records this morning from the Shelter he was at. His last puppy shot was 2 weeks ago and that was an extra booster. Again, the only thing he is missing is his Rabies.
This morning I called the doctor that was treating the puppy we had to put to sleep. The vet's office is closed on Sunday's. However, he did come over to my house. He looked at all of the records that I went and got from the shelter this morning. He said we really don't have anything to worry about. He also said there's always a chance that a puppy can still get Parvo or Distemper until they are fully at 6 months old even 1 year old. The older they get, the likelihood (if vaccinated) gets smaller and smaller.
He's had the DHPP vaccination every 3.5 weeks with the last one a hair over 14 weeks old. He's now 20 weeks old.
The vet said that I should keep a close eye on him. He wrote down the exact symptoms of what I should watch for. If he starts showing symptoms of any 2 of them, call the doctor, he'll test him for PCR which is I believe a Parvo and Distemper test. If tested positive, he will begin immediately treating him. He said if caught on the early onset stages, it can be treated with a very good survival rate. IF he were to become positive of it, at his age of 5 months he'll come through fine he believes.
After all of this said, I feel more comfortable keeping the puppy. HOWEVER, to be safe... We're going to re-bleach everything again! Ugh. We're doing it today. We are going to have to replace our couches (We've bleached so much, the cloth is starting to tear), but it's okay though. A dog's or puppies health is more important than my furniture.
And Pam, your wonderful! You've helped us with this, you've helped us with Oscar. Wow, thanks so very much! 🙂
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