Pet of the Month: “Kiah”
Today we had an unexpected visit from the gorgeous Kiah who is now back to full health. Recently Kiah unfortunately spent a few days in hospital with us due to contracting Parvovirus. When we first saw her, Kiah weighed only 13.6kgs. She was very weak and shy. After 4 days of hospitalisation and round the clock treatment and monitoring by our nurses and vets, Kiah was discharged to her very anxious parents! Today Kiah is doing very well, currently weighing an impressive 23kgs (only a month since being discharged!). She enjoys her multiple walks and playtime every day. We loved seeing both Mum and her, happy and doing well!
Kiah, a female German Shepherd cross puppy, now 5 months old, had been adopted just 2 days before she presented to us with vomiting & diarrhoea. She had come from a questionable background and was quite malnourished when adopted. She had had a vaccination 3 days prior to her coming in but that would not have taken full effect and it’s likely she was already carrying the parvovirus when she was vaccinated. She just wasn’t showing any symptoms.
Parvovirus is a serious health concern among dogs, especially young dogs less than 2 years of age and those that have not been fully vaccinated. It is one of the core components of the vaccine that all puppies require at 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks, 14-16 weeks and then annually. Once contracted, dogs often develop a haemorrhagic (bloody) gastroenteritis – vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy. It is a disease that can be very debilitating and can result in death. Nearly all puppies that contract parvovirus will need to spend several days in hospital on intravenous fluids, antibiotics and supportive treatment.
Parvovirus is extremely contagious and hard to kill. For this reason, Kiah and any other parvovirus affected dogs are kept in a special isolation ward in hospital. Nurses and vets have to wear special gowns and walk through a foot bath every time they need to treat or examine these patients. Parvovirus in the ground can last a very long time. For this reason, Kiah’s family had to bleach all that they could around their house and backyard and collect special disinfectant for sofa’s and any furniture that could not be bleached. It is also for this reason, we suggest puppies do not go for walks on the street or in parks until at least 10 days after their 16 wk vaccination so we can be sure they will be protected from contracting parvovirus. Unfortunately for Kiah, we couldn’t prevent her getting the disease, but at least with her new adopted owners, she was able to get the treatment she required and is now going well.
Kiah, we look forward to seeing you around often, but hopefully just for routine visits & showing off how beautifully you are growing.