koalathebear Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share Posted July 1, 2013 (edited) I don't want to get too excited too early, but it is looking as though Smudge and Nutmeg are going to make it through this. The vets all say that it was caught early enough that the prognosis should be good. We transferred them this morning from the emergency clinic to the normal vet. Here they are being carried to our jeep (which is going to be cleaned with bleach once we get them both home again): Here they are in the crate in the back of our jeep - on top of bleachable bathroom flooring from Bunnings: Here they are at the vet in their new isolation room: Nutmeg is doing better than Smudge but that's because she started receiving treatment even before she was displaying symptoms. Smudge is also on the mend so we will - touch wood - have them back with us tomorrow. We bought more bleach, gloves and panels today to bolster the segregation we have in the house. I have debated whether we should continue segregating them from our resident dogs. Post-recovery, the pups will be immune from parvo for a time but still be carrying and shedding. I've already told the agility and obedience club that we are absenting ourselves until such time we are in the clear so part of me is thinking we could probably let the dogs mingle in a few weeks even though they are still shedding - given that we won't be taking any of the dogs (including our own) outside of our house and yard. I am inclined to wait the full four weeks though, taking the pups to 12 weeks of age. Not ideal but my own dog Hoover wasn't socialised with any dogs outside of his own litter until 12 weeks of age and he turned out fine. Thoughts most welcome!! As for fostering, a couple of days ago I was thinking I never wanted to foster again ... now I've decided I will, but there won't be any more unvaccinated fosters given that we can't be confident we can eradicate the parvo completely, even with a bleach blitz. Thanks very much to everyone for your well-wishes. I am looking forward to posting happier photos of these two. Edited July 1, 2013 by koalathebear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 Well they look pretty alert! :) I'd continue as you are until they are safe from shedding into the environs. You can still carry parvo out on your feet for example so set up a footbath. Clusters of parvo outbreaks have been attributed to movement to neighbouring properties by rainy weather and insects (I can't confirm if that is true). But bleach and iso will be your friend for a while longer. @12 weeks, they will be fine. They have each other and can catch up on socialising. Just my opinion of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 I wouldnt risk it yet. Vaccinated dogs can very occasionally get parvo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 The fact that they are sitting up and are alert 24 hours after the first symptom was sighted is a really good sign! In young pups it can be a matter of hours before they are too far gone - so heaps of kudos to you for spotting it so quickly and getting them to the vet asap. Sas - I say new strain because of the symptomology being so different to the regular strains we have all seen before (whether we care to admit it or not) - the pups I had did not display any vomiting at all, their poops did not smell badly or contain blood, and they were all quite alert and active until the first one went lethargic and progressed to moribund within an hour or so while we waited for the vet to be available to see him. If you've ever seen coccidia, then you will understand what I mean when I say the current parvo coming from the country dogs looks just like coccidosis. As for vaccinated dog getting parvo - yes, that is completely true too - but they are less likely to show the deadly symptoms, and can still shed it with every stool they produce. The vet advice I've been given is to top up current dogs' vaccination status with a Parvac shot, and keep at home for at least 2-4 weeks to reduce any possibility of spreading it around the neighbourhood via their stools. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share Posted July 2, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 Awww... cute bucket head babies... *grin* So glad to see them on the mend. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 Thanks T! They are VERY cute little bucket heads :) Nutmeg's doing well today - very lively and playing with her rope toys and a towel - those towels can be vicious. We are hoping to pick up Smudge this evening. Alas, there four littermates aren't doing so well so fingers crossed for all the babies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 So good to know that Nutmet and Smudge are on the improve. Hopefully their siblings will turn the corner too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeelerLove Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Nutmeg and Smudge are just gorgeous. So glad that they are getting better, hope their brothers and sisters pick up too :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) Thank you so much everybody. Smudge was discharged today!!! :) Look at her tail go. They are both doing very well. On antibiotics and we will monitor them closely. Our dogs (both foster and resident dogs) will be in lock down for a month until they are no longer contagious so we're going to have to do lots of tricks training and obedience to keep them occupied. We are also keeping resident dogs segregated from puppies for a month. Also bought a tonne of this stuff - gel and wet wipes. Their four littermates are still on IV so we are hoping that all will pull through the way my two have. Edited July 3, 2013 by koalathebear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Awesome news and gorgeous pics. They look pretty happy to be back together. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 (edited) Puppies are doing well. They came down with kennel cough, but are recovering well - appetites huge, energy levels and playfulness very high :) They are getting a little Benadryl in the mornings and evenings and I give them water laced with Manuka honey at 3am and 6am when they're toileted to ease the cough. The coughing is almost all gone. We dropped stool samples at the vet yesterday and it was confirmed that not only do Nutmeg and Smudge no longer have parvo - they are no longer shedding the disease - so that is a big relief. What this mean for us was that it was time to do our comprehensive bleach bomb blitz. Smudge and Nutmeg had another bath and we bleached their pen, crate etc, tossed out all of their current blankets, bowls and toys. We put them in a temporary smaller pen and they were not impressed and squeaking their disapproval of their downsized living quarters. I bleached the front steps and pathway, their toileting area ... There will still be residue but we've done what we can. This means no more fostering of puppies or unvaccinated dogs for us, but that's fine. As they are not shedding anymore, we'll let them play with our dogs soon. We'll wait until they have recovered from kennel cough, though. Notwithstanding all of that, all of our dogs (including the resident dogs) are being confined to the house until the end of the month just to make absolutely sure we don't spread anything anywhere. Some photos of the puppies now that they are on the path to good health. Nutmeg was attacked as a young puppy and her ear torn. The vet says her ear will always be creased like this, poor baby. Nonetheless, it gives her character. Smudge & Nutmeg Nutmeg & Smudge Little Smudgie Bedraggled Smudge after her bath Nutmeg wants to kiss you! Edited July 10, 2013 by koalathebear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 (edited) Smudge yearns for the larger pen Nutmeg yearns for the larger pen Sweet Nutmeg Nutmeg the kitten :) Smudge - still yearning Puppies playing - Nutmeg's tail is going a million miles an hour Their littermate Griff has also gone home to his carer and Jinx and Jax will go home today. Sadly, little Narla had to be euthanised. Her body couldn't fight it any longer and it was kinder to have her put to sleep. Very sad for her carer and we are all angry about the reckless 'breeder' who allowed this litter to be born and then dumped at the pound. Edited July 10, 2013 by koalathebear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 They are looking awesome!! Brilliant job being done by you and yours to give these little gals an awesome restart to long and happy lives. Please give them both a cuddle and kiss from me... I'm missing having tiny terrors around... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Thanks so much tdierikx! And thanks heaps for all of your support and advice - this in particular has been a really stressful time so I really appreciated the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chequeredblackdog Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Yay for Nutmeg and Smudge! Go KTB They are both very pretty little girls. I think Nutmegs squiffy ear makes her even cuter! (If that is even possible :p ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 No probs koalathebear - happy I could share some of the things I've learned the hard way so that you don't have to. My "payment" will be to keep seeing your gorgeous updates (with pics) of how these babies are getting along during their journey to have great homes found for them... *grin* T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkhe Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Ohhhh my god, they are ADORABLE! And their stares are so intense - I love them! :love: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 (edited) Ohhhh my god, they are ADORABLE! And their stares are so intense - I love them! :love: They are VERY smart and human-focused - always alert and interested. In this video they are trying SOOOO hard to sit for their diluted Manuka honey, but can't quite control themselves. Tails are going crazy. :) It's hard for me to believe that a week ago, they were at death's door! Edited July 10, 2013 by koalathebear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Haha! You took too long and Nutmeg let you know about it... too cute! T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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