Help!!! Our brand new puppy has parvo!

[tlbwriter]

Our vet told us the incubation period for parvo was 5-7 days, and that the virus is pretty much present everywhere. I'm glad you got your pup treated - a lot of people mistakenly think parvo is a death sentence and there's no point treating it, and that simply isn't true any more.

 

[CathrynRose]

Hi OP!

Any news? **finger crossed**

 

[ryan840]

Thanks for checking in everyone! Just talked to the vet and he is doing a little worse again. I can't take much more of this roller coaster! $2k has come and gone now, it's been a full week and we still don't know if he will pull through or not.

Yes, parvo is absolutely everywhere and that's why it's mainly puppies who are affected by it. It takes large quantities of the virus to cause the infection, and it's so spread out that even strays who have never been vaccinated usually build up their own immunity to it from the constant small scale exposure. Puppies are vulnerable because they get the protection from their mother's milk, and then there is a one to two week period between the time those antibodies wear off and they are old enough to get their shots where they are extremely vulnerable because they have no immunities at all.

ETA- I did look into Care Credit and the interest rate is 26.99%!!! There is a 23 day grace period where there is no interest, which doesn't do me much good on a bill that is going up aprox $200 a day right now. I'm hoping to workout a payment plan with the vet, haven't talked about that yet though. For now I asked my parents if I could borrow the money and make payments on it, but that was about 4 days and $1000 ago so not sure what will happen.

 

[dicar123]

We faced a similar situation. We picked out our puppy one Saturday, got a check-up at the vet Monday and by Wednesday morning she was as sick as she could possibly be.

Because we got her at the local animal shelter, we chose to relinquish her. The vet argued a blue streak with me and insinuated that I was a horrible human being until I asked how much of the care he was willing to donate. The answer was none.

The shelter explained that they would need to test all their pups and depending upon how many were sick, they may or not treat the puppy we gave up. She did end up being the only sick puppy, they treated her, and we re-adopted her 2 weeks later.

 

[PFlamingo]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. You can bet the mortgage (or the vet bill) those other puppies had it, too. It makes me so angry to hear about such irresponsible people who don't spay/neuter their dogs when they have no business letting them breed. Then for them to get parvo! Arrrgggghhh! There's a special circle in hell for people who allow animals to suffer like that.

I worked at my vet's as a groomer for a short time last summer, and saw a puppy there w/ parvo. No one thought he would pull through. Every day, I would ask about the little guy and the vet would just shake his head and say, "we're doing all we can, but I just don't know." Well, low and behold, he made it. Even the vet couldn't believe it.

So I'll send lots of positive thoughts your way for your pup. Personally, I'd take a 3rd mortgage on my house or live in my car to save my dogs' lives, so I feel for you with that vet bill. I've had some whoppers myself over the years, with all my raggedy mutt rescue dogs (aka, my "children"). I'm sure your vet would be willing to work out a payment plan with you. And the money will come, because you did such a loving, generous thing for Romeo.

Good luck and fingers crossed!

 

[C.Ann]

ETA- I did look into Care Credit and the interest rate is 26.99%!!! There is a 23 day grace period where there is no interest, which doesn't do me much good on a bill that is going up aprox $200 a day right now. I'm hoping to workout a payment plan with the vet, haven't talked about that yet though. For now I asked my parents if I could borrow the money and make payments on it, but that was about 4 days and $1000 ago so not sure what will happen.

Do NOT use Care Credit!!!!! Recently there was a huge story that broke about them that was on our local news channel and it was absolutely shocking what happened to people who fell for this "easy" credit for vets; dentists; etc.. If you google it, I'm sure you'll find about a million complaints.. It's the worst "credit" card available today..

Hope the pup is doing better..

 

[CathrynRose]

Thanks for checking in everyone! Just talked to the vet and he is doing a little worse again. I can't take much more of this roller coaster! $2k has come and gone now, it's been a full week and we still don't know if he will pull through or not.

ETA- I did look into Care Credit and the interest rate is 26.99%!!! There is a 23 day grace period where there is no interest, which doesn't do me much good on a bill that is going up aprox $200 a day right now. I'm hoping to workout a payment plan with the vet, haven't talked about that yet though. For now I asked my parents if I could borrow the money and make payments on it, but that was about 4 days and $1000 ago so not sure what will happen.

Oh crappola! Dammit. I was hoping you'd say something better. Have you Googled perhaps if it does "get worse" before it gets better? Maybe? I mean, it's not the same thing but you know when you get the Flu, it gets that peak, and then begins to subside? I dunno... just thinking out loud.

Care Credit - we have one, and although it's a high percentage, once your purchase is made, they will offer a promotional deferred interest, right as you're checking out (it's all done online, at the office). I chose the 24 months, just because it was offered.... when I got Botox.

My point is, don't let that rate stop you. It's not the rate once your purchase is made.

 

[CathrynRose]

Do NOT use Care Credit!!!!! Recently there was a huge story that broke about them that was on our local news channel and it was absolutely shocking what happened to people who fell for this "easy" credit for vets; dentists; etc.. If you google it, I'm sure you'll find about a million complaints.. It's the worst "credit" card available today..

Hope the pup is doing better..

Heeeeey now. I've had no problems with it.

I think many people don't understand 'deferred interest'. If you pay your balance before that time is up, you pay no interest. If you pay your balance even a day after your promotion is up, you're looking at the full accrued interest from day one. I think the consumer's are too blame for the 'complaints', IMO.

***ETA - I read some complaints and lots of "I only missed one payment, and........." ****

I've had my *ahem* procedure twice now, and have not paid a dime in interest.

 

[ryan840]

LOL CathrynRose, thanks for the Care Credit info. Yes, we were warned from day one that he would get better before he got worse so it's not unexpected, except that he already got way worse and needed two plasma transfusions in 4 days in order to start getting better again. That's when the vet finally admitted to being cautiously optimistic, and now he's going up and down again. Can't get a straight answer from anyone on what to expect because it's such a bad disease and his age is against him, but first I was told it typically takes 3-7 days, then after about 5 days they told me probably 5 more days, now they're saying up to two weeks... It's killing me not knowing and I'm panicking that I'm going to be out thousands of dollars for a dog that won't even make it. Ugh!

 

[C.Ann]

Heeeeey now. I've had no problems with it.

I think many people don't understand 'deferred interest'. If you pay your balance before that time is up, you pay no interest. If you pay your balance even a day after your promotion is up, you're looking at the full accrued interest from day one. I think the consumer's are too blame for the 'complaints', IMO.

***ETA - I read some complaints and lots of "I only missed one payment, and........." ****

I've had my *ahem* procedure twice now, and have not paid a dime in interest.

Well you really would have had to watch this huge segment on the news here.. There were no "late payments"; no "missed" payments; and the paperwork to back it up.. (There were even those who paid very large payments each month - much larger than required..) They also would not respond to phone calls or letters from the news network to "defend' themselves - which in itself was a huge red flag.. I wish I could find the link to the actual local story, but I'm not sure if it's available online or not.. If I find it, I'll post it - but I still would not suggest anyone going the route of Care Credit after that report..

I'm glad it worked out well for you though - and certainly hope they don't start taking unauthorized monies out of your account (which was another issue that was discussed)..

 

[kacaju]

if you take it back that puppy is dead. they probaly are already attached to the puppy and dont want to see it put down

Not every breeder will out down a sick puppy if they take it back. I know ours won't.
We have become friendly with our breeder since we show the dogs and I know for a fact she will not automatically put down a pup she gets back.

 

[CathrynRose]

Well you really would have had to watch this huge segment on the news here.. There were no "late payments"; no "missed" payments; and the paperwork to back it up.. (There were even those who paid very large payments each month - much larger than required..) They also would not respond to phone calls or letters from the news network to "defend' themselves - which in itself was a huge red flag.. I wish I could find the link to the actual local story, but I'm not sure if it's available online or not.. If I find it, I'll post it - but I still would not suggest anyone going the route of Care Credit after that report..

I'm glad it worked out well for you though - and certainly hope they don't start taking unauthorized monies out of your account (which was another issue that was discussed)..

Yeah, I'd be interested to read it if you find it. Please post or PM me if you happen to come across it. Thanks!

 

[pixiewings71]

hang in there, I know a lady on FB who adopted a pup (this pup had been thrown out a car window while the car was moving) and she came down with Parvo. it took a couple of weeks for Lycka to get better but she's fully part of the family now!! She spent much time at the vet and they really thought they were going to lose her but she pulled thru and is happy and healthy now.

I do think your pup looks more like a Pit as well, (neighbors have Pits that look quite similar, a very good friend also has Pits and they look very similar to your pup) beautiful pup, please keep us updated on how treatment goes.

Oh and yes, talk to your vet about payments, you never know what they might say.

 

[goofy!]

Not every breeder will out down a sick puppy if they take it back. I know ours won't.
We have become friendly with our breeder since we show the dogs and I know for a fact she will not automatically put down a pup she gets back.

Neither will our breeder. If a puppy is returned, it will be treated (if sick) and has a home for life unless another forever home is found. Our breeder takes back any dog they have bred, no matter the circumstances or the age.

They are show people and are both AKC judges themselves.

 

[labdogs42]

Neither will our breeder. If a puppy is returned, it will be treated (if sick) and has a home for life unless another forever home is found. Our breeder takes back any dog they have bred, no matter the circumstances or the age.

They are show people and are both AKC judges themselves.

That is what responsible breeders do. I am friends with many breeders with policies just like this and they take the dogs back to find them new homes or keep them, not put them down. Now, the "breeder" in this instance does not sound reputable and I wouldn't even consider taking a puppy back there.

OP, I hope that your puppy pulls through. He's adorable, whatever mix he is, and I hope he gets to come home with you. I'll be thinking about him and praying for a good outcome!

 

[ryan840]

Just talked with the vet and Romeo is eating today, so they're hoping to send him home tomorrow as long as he keeps at it. He ate on day three as well, so I'm not holding my breath but this is the first time they mentioned sending him home so I'm hopeful.

I asked about payment options and the only two are to pay in full or apply for Care Credit, which they are offering at 0% for 12 months. I don't think I have another choice at this point, I'll see if my parents can lend me that much first and look into the whole controversy before I apply.

ETA- After reading online reviews I'm going to do whatever I can to avoid Care Credit. It sounds like a huge hassle at best and a total nightmare at worst. I'm glad there are people who haven't had problems with them but it definitely seems they are the minority!

 

[Shmily1]

Glad to hear he is doing better. Maybe it will be all uphill for you now.

Actually, a puppy showed up at our house about 2 years ago and 4 days later I found her laying in a puddle of water where a spigot was leaking. I rushed her to the vet and she had parvo. It was only about $600 for us to get her back and 5 days later. The next week, she got hit by a car (we didn't have a fence because we didn't have animals either at the time). I carried her back to the vet and 7 days and $750 more and we went home again. She definitely knows that she's been saved and is such a happy baby (big girl!). She may be older, but she's still DH's baby!

 

[CathrynRose]

GREAT news! Keep thinking positive!

 

[minkydog]

Glad to hear the pup is doing better. I can so sympathize with you. When we got Minky he developed a serious bronchitis within a few days. He suddenly turned for the worse and we had to take him to an afterhours ER vet. $$$. That was followed by a week in ICU and 8wks of nursing a very weak & ill puppy at home. $$$$. I never totalled it all up(I was afraid to) but I'm sure we spent in the ballpark of $1500. But what are ya gonna do? We loved the little fella and he was just a baby. If we hadn't treated him, he would have died!

Well, Minky recovered and has been with us 10-1/2 years. He's been a faithful companion and a wonderful friend for my kids, especially Christian. I figure $1500 over the span of 10 years was only $150/year. He is a true "rescue" in every sense of the word and I've never regretted the decision to save him. Although we did have to eat a lot of beans and macaroni for awhile there.

 

[mamamary]

Your pup is in my thoughts for a full recovery.