Beam me home Scotty! Why you should DEFINITELY Microchip your pet.

Recently I took on yet another lost dog; I called him “Merle”. He was a great dog; very well behaved and smart. Just showed up on my porch, then he walked right in the house. I am pretty sure my pack puts out an all points bulletin to lost pets to come to our home for safety. So there he was licking and loving on me. Of course he would not eat or drink much because he was scared and confused, but he seemed relieved to have found a safe place to hang out. He was just one of many animals that we have found over the last few months. The only ones we have returned to their families had microchips.

Most people do not realize animals bond to humans like we bond to them. Actually even more so because we are all they know, and they rely on us for food, shelter, and safety. When they become lost, it can be very traumatic and frightening for them. They may not eat, drink, or go to the bathroom and can even be lethargic and confused. 

Spring is here and your fuzzy friends are going to be outside and on the go more and more over the next few months. ID tags and licenses are a great way to make sure they don't get lost, but what if they lose their collar or tags? Microchips offer an excellent way to keep track of your pets and help them get home should they wander too far away. 

There are a lot of theories and fallacies out there about microchipping. I am very concerned about the missing pet population and the number of pets that are currently in shelters that actually have homes out there. I am going to take some of the mystery out of microchips for you. I have done my own research to learn about the risks and problems associated with microchipping. I have also talked to a few doctors myself, just for you.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA states that, “There are about 5,000 community animal shelters nationwide that are independent; there is no national organization monitoring these shelters. The terms “humane society” and “SPCA” are generic; shelters using those names are not part of the ASPCA or the Humane Society of the United States. Currently, no government institution or animal organization is responsible for tabulating national statistics for the animal protection movement.

• Approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized (60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats). Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those animals relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state.
• According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2 percent of cats and only 15 to 20 percent of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of these were identified with tags, tattoos or microchips.” (ASPCA, 2013)

Over 10,000 pets a month are reunited with their owners because they are microchipped. Pets wander far, collars become tangled or broken and fall off, tags break, but implanted chips are forever. When we find a lost animal, we first check them for a collar and tags, and then a microchip. It is very frustrating for us when we find a scared lost pet and they do not have a microchip. If a microchip is found, we call the microchip company and our local humane society to try to get information on the pet’s owner so that we can return them to their home. 

Datamars and ResQ microchip are offered without an online registration fee or annual fee. Our clinic currently offers Datamars microchips. The purchase of the microchip includes implantation and membership to the database. Some companies charge a one time, a monthly, or a yearly fee. With Datamars and ResQ, it is all inclusive. The website is very easy to navigate, and you can add as much or as little information as you want to help a finder locate you for a reunion. These microchips are approved by ISO and work with universal scanners. 

 “ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards. International Standards give state of the art specifications for products, services and good practice, helping to make industry more efficient and effective. Developed through global consensus, they help to break down barriers to international trade.” (ISO, 2013)

ISO or International Organization for Standards have coordinated the majority of the microchips companies are selling. These microchips all run off the same frequency. Contrary to popular belief, there are scanners out there that can locate and read all of these microchips. More and more of the microchips are joining this organization and be scanned with the same scanner.

“A microchip frequency refers to the type of signal emitted by a scanner in order to activate and read the microchip. There are three microchip frequencies in the United States: 125 kHz, 128 kHz, and 134.2 kHz. 134.2 kHz is the ISO (International Standards Organization) standard and is the primary frequency used worldwide. The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) also recommends the 134.2 kHz frequency. “ (Found Animals, 2013) You can ask ahead of time if the microchip you are purchasing can be read with a universal scanner. A universal scanner is capable of picking up all three frequencies. The scanner does not harm the pet and can read the number in seconds without even touching the skin.

Older microchips operated off different frequencies; thus lending the idea that universal scanners could not read them. These microchips were implanted so long ago that other than exotics and horses, it is unlikely they are still in use. These animals should be re-microchipped with a newer version to be sure the scanners of today will locate them. 

“The predecessor to the HomeAgain (Destron) microchip used from 1987 to the early 1990s, operated with the reader-provided operating frequency of 400 kHz. That microchip, although no longer being implanted, still exists in some pets, and is successfully read by today’s MultiReaders operating at frequencies between 125 and 134.2 kHz.” (Culberth, 2009)

These microchips would no longer be present in live dogs and cats and are no longer available for implantation. Ask your veterinarian if the microchips they implant operate on a frequency that can be read by a universal scanner. Do your research. Go to a veterinarian that uses only microchips that are ISO approved.

I have been hearing from a few clients and read on the web that people do not want to microchip for fear of the government being able to track their location or what they are doing. GOOD NEWS!! They cannot use it for that! A microchip cannot be used as a locator, an information collector, or a tracker. Microchips assign a unique number to your pet that can be scanned and searched on a database to find where they belong, with you. They do not transmit.

The microchip implanted is called an RFID. Datamars defines RFID like this. “There are various definitions for the term "Radio Frequency Identification". The definition below is simple and accurate:

"RFID is an automatic way to collect product, place, time, or transaction data quickly and easily without human intervention or error."
AIM Inc., Association for Automatic Identification and Data Capture Technologies, Pittsburgh, Pa, www.aimglobal.org.

An RFID system is comprised of a reader, its antenna and transponders (tags, RFID cards) which carry the data. The reader transmits a low-power radio signal through its antenna, which is received by the tag via its own antenna and used to power an integrated circuit (microchip). Using the energy it gets from the signal when it enters the radio field, the tag will briefly converse with the reader for verification and exchange data.” (DATAMARS, 2010)

 

The pre-numbered microchip is placed just under the skin on the back of the neck and is about the same size as a grain of rice. The procedure is non-surgical and relatively pain-free, similar to getting vaccinations. You can then go home and register the microchip to your name, address, and phone. Websites like www.petlink.net and www.foundanimals.org allow you to customize your pet’s profile as much or as little as you please free of charge. When your pet wanders from home and is picked up by the dreaded Dog Catcher or a Good Samaritan, the microchip can be scanned and you will receive a phone call or an email letting you know your precious pet has been recovered.

When we scan a pet, all we see is an individualized number. This number has optimistically been registered by the owner to a name, phone number, address, email, picture of the pet, description, and other information the owner chose to give. Hopefully, the owner kept their information up-to-date. Sometimes owners with the best intentions get the microchip and either don’t register it, or forget to update information when they move or change their phone number. www.petlink.net will even send a reminder email each year on your pet’s birthday to update your information if needed. 

There are websites out there talking about microchipping causing cancer and other medical problems. We must remember; information on the internet is created by humans, with opinions and ideas. Not everything available is based on fact. You should always research about any medical procedure before doing it, but the best place to start research is with your veterinarian. Relying on the internet and any old yahoo who purchased a $7-$20 web address and posted their opinions and beliefs should not be your only means of study. Doctors will NEVER tell you there is no risk associated with a procedure, so start with those you know and trust and those with an education about these things. Conspiracy theories will always exist; just get the real facts before deciding. 

Veterinarians I have spoken with have nothing but positive things to say about microchipping. I asked Janine Lesh, DVM about the risks of cancer with microchipping a pet. “Any time you inject ANYTHING under the skin there is a chance it can cause a reaction. Even saline can cause an adverse reaction in an animal when injected under the skin. There is no scientific evidence proving microchips themselves will cause problems related to cancer.” She went on to say anything injected or placed under the skin can cause a reaction and if there was a problem it would more likely be an abscess in the area than a tumor. Dr. Lesh also pointed out that microchips have been available for implant for over 25 years and she has not seen an instance of cancer at the microchipping site. (Lesh, 2013)

In another interview, I asked Gerald Nance, DVM his thoughts on cancer or problems with RFID microchips. His response was basically the same. “Anything injected under the skin can potentially cause a problem in the long run, although those instances would be very rare.” (Nance, 2013) The reality is there are a great deal of different instigators of cancer, but if you get regular exams for your pet, your veterinarian is more likely to catch a problem soon enough to do something about it.

We have not yet addressed the cost issue. Although people seem to retain the belief that the expense is great; it is actually quite affordable. The Datamars chips are a great deal at around $60 for the microchip, implantation, and a lifetime membership to the www.petlink.net database and website. You may even be able to find specials and deals at certain times of the year, like spring when pets are more likely to travel away from home. Considering the cost of trying to locate a lost pet, or paying a shelter’s fees; it is actually exceptionally reasonable.

The web site at Pettravel.com says, “Why Do All Dogs & Cats Need a Microchip?

• Peace of Mind - 80% of all dogs and cats without microchips who are separated from their owners are never reunited with them.
• Pet owners are found quickly - Animal Control scans your pet, obtains your contact information, and gives you a call.
• Proof positive of ownership - if your dog or cat is lost or stolen, a quick scan can lead authorities to your contact information.
• Protection for travel - the security of knowing when you travel your pet can be identified at all times.
• Microchips are required prior to entry into many countries

- 15 digit (ISO) microchips are the world standard.

• Required for pet immigration forms - immigration forms require that the pet microchip number be on each form” (pettravel.com, 2013)

When a new pet comes in, the first thing we do is scan them for a microchip. If they have one, we contact the original parents to make sure they are relinquishing the pet to the new owner. If they did not wish for their pet to go to a new home, we take possession of the pet until which time it can be retrieved by the rightful family. If they no longer wish to have the pet be in their home, we advise the new and the old owners to get together and get the microchip re-registered to the correct family.

If a pet does not have a microchip, we have no choice but to assume the person in possession of the animal is their rightful owner. At that point we can perform procedures requested by the new owner including surgical procedures, vaccinations, alteration, and even euthanasia. Imagine your neighbor who is not a huge fan of your pet, decides to grab him up and take him to the pound, or to be euthanized without your knowledge. How grateful would you be when they were returned to you because they had a microchip? 

If my impressions of microchipping are not enough to sway your opinions, check out this great article by Cesar Millan, Should You Microchip Your Dog? where he pleads, “Please have your dog microchipped. You’ll never regret doing it, but if your dog gets lost, you’ll always regret that you didn’t.” (Millan, 2013)

So there it is; why I feel you should get your friend microchipped, and my research about the risks and rumors associated with it. I never did find Merle’s home and he was re-homed. What can we do to prevent this? The most reliable way I can think of is microchipping. No, it is not going to beam them home, or allow you to track them with GPS, but it is the best weapon that we have at this time to get them back into the loving arms of their family. All of my pets are microchipped and it helps to know that I have taken that extra step to insure their safety.

Works Cited

ASPCA. (2013). Pet Statistics. Retrieved April 8, 2013, from ASPCA We Are Their Voice: http://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-statistics.aspx

Culberth, W. (2009). Microchip frequency: does it matter? Retrieved 2013, from Trovan Electronic Identification Devices LTD.: http://www.trovan.com/news/files/Microchip_frequency.html

DATAMARS. (2010). Datamars What is RFID. Retrieved 2013, from datamars.com: http://www.datamars.com/default.aspx?menuitemid=258

Found Animals. (2013). How Does Microchipping Work? Retrieved April 2013, from Found Animals Microchip Registry : http://microchipregistry.foundanimals.org/help_and_faq.php

ISO. (2013). About ISO. Retrieved from ISO: http://www.iso.org/iso/home/about.htm

Lesh, J. (2013). DVM. (R. Fox, Interviewer)

Millan, C. (2013, January). Should you Microchip Your Dog? Retrieved April 2013, from Cesar's Way: http://www.cesarsway.com/news-and-events/cesars-blog/Should-You-Microchip-Your-Dog

Nance, G. (2013). DVM. (R. Fox, Interviewer)

pettravel.com. (2013). Why do all dogs and cats need a microchip? Retrieved 2013, from www.pettravel.com: http://www.pettravel.com/passports_pet_microchip.cfm

Keep your furry family members safe this Holiday season

Captain Lizardo in the Tree

Remember this time of year, to keep an eye on your furry family members. There are many new and possibly unrealized dangers in your home during the holiday season. There are a lot of things in your household that can harm your pets; some you may not have thought of. In today's blog I will go over some of the things that can cause real distress and danger close to the holidays. Remember, you can always comment and ask questions and I will do my best to get you the answer. If you ever have an emergency, contact your local Veterinary Clinic, or Animal Emergency center Immediately.

Human food such as candy, cookies, pie, and table scraps can cause stomach upset and other serious internal problems. Even the tiniest of bites from your feast can cause your pet to feel very sick. An article at Texas A&M University website says, "According to Dr. Black, the following foods can be particularly dangerous to cats and dogs. 'These foods may not necessarily cause toxic reactions in every case of ingestion, but it's just a good 'rule of thumb' to keep these items off your kitchen counters and under no circumstances feed these foods to your pet,'  Black said."  Cakes, cookies, pies, chocolates, pork (especially bacon), grease, fat, grapes, raisins, sugar substitutes, onions, garlic, chives, macadamia nuts, and more can be very  toxic to your pets. (Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science Texas A&M University, 2012) Keep lots of "healthy to pets" treats around like Science Diet Pumpkin and Yam treats, or even carrots or green beans. My dogs love baby carrots.

The trash can contain many things that make pets sick. Tin foil, plastic, and other food storage items can cause blockages, injuries, bleeding, and other serious problems. Corks, twist ties, Rubber bands, string, safety seals, and many other things like tape, ribbon, and wrapping paper that you may throw away during the holiday season, and other times of the year can cause similar problems. Having these items surgically removed from your pet's stomach is very costly, and may if serious enough, result in death. 

Cooked bones can splinter and cause lacerations of the throat and stomach. They can also accumulate in the stomach or intestines and cause a blockage. This will cause your animal to no longer be able to eat, or drink. Most of these situations end in the need for procedures such as enemas, hospitalization, surgery to remove the blockage, euthanasia, or even death at home if left untreated. "Cooked bones can be very hazardous for your dog. Bones become brittle when cooked which causes them to splinter when broken. The splinters have sharp edges that have been known to become stuck in the teeth, caused choking when caught in the throat or caused a rupture or puncture of the stomach lining or intestinal tract." (Vitality Science.com Holistic Pet Remedies, 2012) Make sure to take the trash out and keep your pets safe. 

Many of you will say that you have always given your pets bones, or that your parents or grandparents fed these treats all the time. Before we had the means of figuring out what was causing these animals to get sick and die, we did not know the dangers or repercussions of bones. Now that we do, I am trying to help keep your pets safe from suffering an unnecessary fate.
Holiday plants can make your pets sick if they chew on or swallow them, as well as getting stuck in their throat or stomach. "Many Christmas plants including Mistletoe, Holly, Potpourri and Poinsettias are toxic, keep them out of your dogs reach and seek immediate veterinary advice if you think your pet has ingested."   (Endangered Dogs Defence and Rescue Ltd, 2009)
Candles and other open flames can be knocked over easily by a pet, starting a house fire or burning them. Also, your pets can knock things into an open fireplace, or fall in themselves. Remember, wagging tails and jumping kitties are normal in your home, and the open flame is not.
Out of this world decorations, in particular ones that were once suitable for consumption by humans, such as; candy canes and sugar cookies, can be easily discovered by a curious nose. Tinsel, glass ornaments, and lights look exquisite, but holiday fun can turn to holiday horror if your pet chews on or swallows these objects. Also, remember to anchor your tree. Animals can get excited and knock them over causing a big mess or even injuries!
Lastly, please remember to keep your pets warm and dry in the winter. They deserve to be safe and cozy as they are part of your family too! Don't leave them out in the cold! More dogs and cats are lost and hurt during winter than any other season! In cold weather times, animals have more of a chance of swallowing salt or antifreeze, or becoming lost in the snow. Remember that sometimes no matter how many layers of clothes you are wearing, you can still be cold. Your pet is no different. Just because they are "wearing a fur coat", doesn't mean they are plenty warm.
You and your pets, have a safe and happy holiday season.

Works Cited

Endangered Dogs Defence and Rescue Ltd. (2009). Christmas Tips &. Retrieved 2012, from endangereddogs.com: http://www.endangereddogs.com/EDDRSeasonalAdvice.htm
Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science Texas A&M University. (2012). Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science Texas A&M Univercity. Retrieved 12 04, 2012, from Human Treats, Poison to Pets: http://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/human-treats,-poison-to-pets
Vitality Science.com Holistic Pet Remedies. (2012). Bad Foods For Your Dogs. Retrieved 2012, from Vitalityscience.com: http://www.vitalityscience.com/v/articles/dog-poisons.asp

Think thrice before giving a pet as a gift

"Movies and TV have given people the idea that puppies and kittens make heartwarming holiday gifts for kids, spouses and other significant others. But the reality is more often heart-wrenching for most of these living, breathing "gifts", not to mention the families who end up giving up the pets once they grow and require more time, attention, training and expenses than the families can or choose to give." (Tierney, 2011)
This holiday season there are lots of things to remember when you have a pet. But what about when you are thinking of getting one? I myself have puppies that will be 6 weeks old on Christmas day, and I would love to see them go to great homes. A word of caution though, for those of you who are thinking about taking  a new furry friend home for the holidays.
"Just like the shiny red bow that you tie on their neck for Christmas morning, the newness and excitement of the gift will fade." (Wark, 2012) That new furry friend is a great gift idea, but you must remember, kids will be super excited when you bring it home and make promises they may not be able to keep. A puppy or kitten takes a lot of attention and care. Kids may promise excitedly to walk Cuddles, or clean Fluffy's litter box, but soon realize that these things are in fact CHOIRS!! " While children can help with some age-appropriate responsibilities, pets require adult caretakers. Remember, even bright youngsters typically don't have the strength, attention span, self-discipline and physical strength to care for a dog...or even a cat. Older children typically wind up redirecting their attention to friends, school, social activities and eventually dating and planning for college. Unlike with other holiday presents, owners cannot just pop in a fresh battery or put the pet away in the closet after the novelty wears off. In nearly all cases, one of the parents becomes the primary caretaker, doing the feeding, walks, litter scooping and all of the other chores the children once promised to do themselves." (Tierney, 2011)
"Will your loved one have the time and patience to exercise and housetrain the animal? Is he or she prepared to pay for food, accessories (such as toys, grooming supplies, leashes and harnesses, and bedding), inoculations, and veterinary care, including spaying or neutering, flea treatment, deworming, and emergency care?" (PETA, 2012)Also, at Christmas time we have extra cash set aside for gifts, so buying a high quality pet food, toys, litter, leashes, and other essentials might not seem so bad. These costs are forever with the life of your pet. We don't think about the future cost of flea treatments, spaying, or neutering, wellness care, vaccines, emergencies, and many other expenses that will come up later in your pets life. "None of my pets have ever had fleas." Unless you use flea care every month, (not flea collars and baths either) Yes they have.
I don't know how to say any better what is said in this quote, "Animal shelters are filled beyond capacity with homeless animals, many of whom were former "pets" who, for one reason or another, didn't fit into someone's lifestyle. No matter how much they would like to, many people who receive animals as gifts find that they are unable to make the lifelong commitment to care for their new companion.
Sadly, many people end up turning animals they received as gifts over to an overburdened humane society or animal-control agency that is likely filled to capacity. In worst-case scenarios, some people even abandon animals on the road or in the back yard when they move away." (PETA, 2012)
Please don't use a pet for a gift if you have not completely thought through all of these things. Don't make another broken heart wishing for a forever home sitting in a cage, wondering why it's once excited family is no longer close by giving warm snuggles and love.

Works Cited

PETA. (2012). Why Animals Do Not Make Good Gifts . Retrieved from http://www.peta.org: http://www.peta.org/features/animals-do-not-make-good-gifts.aspx
Tierney, R. (2011). Why People Should Not Give Pets as Presents. Retrieved from paw-rescue.org: http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_giftpet.php
Wark, C. (2012, 12 11). Think Twice before getting a pet for Chrsitmas. (B. Bennett, Interviewer)

BRRRRRR Baby Its Cold Outside!

Brrrrr, Its cold outside! Winter in the Northwest means time to bundle up in your winter clothes and boots so that you don’t get wet and cold. It means umbrellas, toasty fires, puddles, snow, and mud. You take precautions to keep you and your family warm and dry; what about your furry family members? Just because they are wearing a fur coat does not mean that they are staying plenty warm and dry.
Dogs and cats alike can get too cold outside in the frosty, waterlogged months of the year. You may think that they are accustomed to being outside and that they are being kept warm enough, but wind chill can make it many degrees chillier than the actual temperature readings outdoors leaving your pet shivering in the cold. Bring your pet indoors and monitor them when they are out. If you cannot bring them in, make sure that you have provided adequate shelter for them. Give them blankets and rugs to sleep on so they are not on the frozen ground. Make sure that water sources do not freeze and that plenty of fluids are available. Animals do not know that eating snow can quench thirst. If, sadly, they are on a chain, they may not be able to reach sources of shelter or fresh water if left out when the temperature drops.
Make sure that you clean and dry your animal’s feet and legs when they come in from the cold. There are many things that they can get into when they are out and about in the winter months. Salt from walkways, antifreeze, and other wintertime chemicals can end up on your pet’s paws and when they lick them, they can be poisoned.
More animals are lost, hurt, and killed in the winter months than any other time of the year. They can wander off from home and get lost because water and snow can cause them to loose their sense of direction or detour their ability to follow the scent of home. They can wander into the road and be run over, drown after wandering onto a frozen body of water, or become lost and never find their way back to their home.
They also crawl onto the tires and into the engine compartments of cars where it can seem nice and warm. They do not know when the car will be started or moved again, they just know it is much more welcoming than the outdoors to snuggle up to the engine block. They then run the risk of being run over or being badly injured or killed when the unsuspecting owner starts the car. This also includes not leaving your pet in the car alone. If you leave them in with the car and heat running, they could get carbon monoxide poisoning. If you leave them alone in the cold, they could freeze to death.
Make sure that your pets are safe and healthy this winter. They rely on you for safety as well as love. They will love you until the end; return their love!

Mckenzie's Warning about Canine Parvo Virus

McKenzie

Mckenzie was an 8 1/2 week old puppy that had just been in to the veterinarian with her litter-mates for her first set of puppy vaccinations. Her next trip to the clinic was supposed to be in three weeks for booster vaccines to protect her from all of the terrible diseases that young puppies and dogs that are not fully vaccination are vulnerable to.  Four days later however, she was back in with a sudden onset of vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Testing confirmed she was Canine Parvovirus positive. Treatment was started immediately but her condition continued to decline.

“Two decades after its appearance, CPV strikes much less frequently due to the development of effective vaccines. Outbreaks do still occur however, and it is widely acknowledged that the hard-to-kill viral particles are present most everywhere. Because of this, vaccinating your dog is of the utmost importance. Puppies and adolescent dogs are considered especially susceptible to exposure, and it is recommended that you avoid bringing your puppy to public places until after his vaccinations are complete.” (Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Baker Institute for Animal Health, 2007)
Initially emerging in the late 1970’s, Canine Parvovirus is an extremely infectious viral disease that affects puppies under six months of age and unvaccinated dogs. Being a viral disease like the common cold, it cannot be treated directly and therefore is deadly. Death is caused by secondary bacterial infections, dehydration, and intestinal problems.
“Parvo disease is spread from dog to dog mainly through exposure to contaminated feces. It is also spread through contact with fomites (contaminated objects). Common fomites include hands, instruments, clothing, food and water dishes, toys and bedding. Insects and rodents can also provide a means for disease spread. The virus can remain on a dog's hair coat and serve as a means of transmission long after recovery from clinical disease.” (Miller, 2013)
Normally there is an incubation phase of 4 to 7 days from the time of exposure and arrival of first symptoms. The two regions characteristically attacked by Canine Parvovirus are rapidly reproducing cellular areas such as bone marrow and stomach and intestines. When aggressively brutalize the bone marrow, it kills off immune cells thus causing the white blood cell count to drop.
Now the body is open to GI infection. The virus then violently attacks the intestines causing them to slough the villi from the tract ending in bloody diarrhea and the tract being open to secondary bacterial infections. The body can no longer absorb nutrients. There is severe Diarrhea and nausea that causes dehydration, and malnutrition. Eventually the intestines are so damaged that the infection makes its way into the blood stream causing the puppy to become septic. The result is severe blood loss and widespread infection resulting in death.
If the disease is diagnosed and treatment is started early, puppies can recover but the virus kills many. The survival rate is currently calculated at 75% to 80%. There are many other forms of this virus, the canine form, a human form, and even a feline form (Feline Panleukopenia).
In order to combat the disease, all dogs and cats should be vaccinated fully and on time from 8 weeks of age. Parvo is highly contagious and can survive outside the body for over a year so it is of great importance to keep your puppy and unvaccinated dog away from public areas such as dog parks, kennels, puppy classes, sidewalks, and any other area where other dogs may be traveling through until their vaccines are complete and your veterinarian  has advised you that it is safe.
Symptoms start as lethargy or depression and lack of appetite. High fever, vomiting, and diarrhea normally follow these symptoms. It is important that if your pet is suffering from these symptoms that you call your vet immediately and ask for their procedure for testing for Canine Parvovirus. Don’t wait; time is survival for your puppy.

Five days of treatment later, McKenzie was still struggling for life and now her siblings were showing symptoms. To top it off, McKenzie was now carrying a high fever. Her litter mates were hurried in to be treated and started to recover quickly while little McKenzie continued to decline.
The veterinarian had treated her diligently, but there was no change in her condition seven days later. She was treated with several different antibiotics, anti nausea medication, and was even tube fed to try to get some nutrition to her tiny deteriorating body. Each day, was the same thing, lethargy, no appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, depression, but she never gave up and the doctors never gave up on her. Hope was waning.
On the morning of the ninth day, all of her siblings had gone home healthy apart from Baxter, who was doing much better and scheduled for discharge that day. Despite positive thinking, the fact that she may not recover was now weighing heavily on everyone's minds.
That morning at 8:30 a.m. staff went in to check on McKenzie. She was up barking, wagging her tail, and looking for attention! All of the doctor’s hard work had paid off and McKenzie would make a full recovery!! All the effort, and research on the part of the veterinarians and technicians, all the hours spent on her care, it was all worth it to see her little tail wagging. She and her people thank Riverside Animal Hospital for never giving up on her and making sure that she made it home.

Works Cited

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Baker Institute for Animal Health. (2007). An Overview of Canine Parvo Virus. Retrieved 2012, from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Baker Institute for Animal Health: http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/animalhealth/page.php?id=1089

Miller, L. D. (2013).  Disease Management Canine Parvovirus . Retrieved 2013, from ASPCA: http://www.aspcapro.org/canine-parvovirus.php