We were ready to add another puppy to our family. We searched for almost a month to find our special guy. We adopted him from a small shelter in Eastern Washington. His name was Dexter. In the shelter ad, they listed his age at 10 weeks, to only find out it was really 6. We had a wonderful, happy week together before he got sick with parvo. Already having experience with parvo from when our other dog was a puppy 7 years ago, we didn't expose Dexter to anything during that week. On the way home from getting him we didn't stop at rest stops. Dexter was such a good boy during the first week. Already accepting the crate, being vocal when he needed to potty and chewing on chewys instead of other things like shoes or furniture. He romped around the yard and played with our other dog so well. They really liked each other..
On Saturday he woke up with diarrhea and vomiting. We immediately took him to the vet and after a few tests they confirmed he had parvo, but it was caught extremely early. We admitted him to Tualatin Animal Hospital for overnight care. He bounced back really fast and we took him home Easter Sunday night (just one day). He became ill again the following day and we admitted him to our wonderful veterinary clinic. Everyone took such great care of him and we visited him every day. We all were so attached to Dexter, he was a very special puppy. Dexter got better and came home 3 days later on Thursday. He was playful, eating and drinking. He was oh so happy to be home. Unfortunately, it would be his last time home. He fell ill again the following day and had to be readmitted to the veterinary clinic.
Dexter gave the fight of his life. While he was trying to recover from Parvo, the deadly virus caused a secondary infection of severe bronchitis. While fighting this he was losing blood through his stool and had to have a blood transfusion. While he was having the blood transfusion they felt a tube in his stomach. Parvo can cause intussusception, which is where their intestines will fold over into each other, like a telescope collapsed This has to be surgically removed or the puppy will die. With everything against Dexter, he shockingly made it through the surgery. Everyone was so excited! The day following surgery he seemed to be getting better, drinking and eating. We actually got to feed him his first food! He wagged his tail at everyone who walked into the quarantined room. He was a sweetheart.
The following day his temperature dropped. The vet was concerned about the possibility of infection since his temp had dropped. They had Dexter on 3 different antibiotics to combat / prevent any infection he might get. The following day we found out he had an infection in his chest cavity. The only possibly way for it to be there was an infection had entered in his blood stream. Our hearts sank as our vet explained the infection would enter his kidneys and liver since the antibiotics were not working and he was going to die. They brought Dexter in the room. We stayed with him for a while visiting knowing we had to have him put to sleep.
Weiird, poor Dexter. At least he got the care that he needed, right?
On a lighter side, Miss Fergie from work is doing a lot better (no trip to the e-vet) and the pup from my internship is now back at home. Yay for recovery!!
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