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 Congratulations to
Wall-E,our May Pet of the Month!
Back to Pet of the Month
Wall-e is a 10-week old mixed breed that was rescued by Columbia Second Chance, where he was diagnosed with Parvovirus. The Humane Society of the United States agreed to assist with expenses, and due to early detection of the disease, prompt treatment, and his own determination, he made a full recovery!
What is Parvovirus?
Parvovirus is a potentially deadly viral disease, most commonly affecting the gastrointestinal tract of puppies between 6 and 20 weeks of age. In many cases, the inner layer of the intestines slough off and cause blood in the stool. The virus is shed in the feces of infected animals and is highly contagious.
 What are the symptoms of Parvovirus?
The most common symptoms include:
*vomiting (with or without blood)
*diarrhea (with or without blood)
*depression
*low white blood cell count
*loss of appetite
*fever (usually above 103°F)
Less commonly, the virus can affect the heart muscles
(typically in puppies less than 8 weeks of age).
What treatment is available?
There is no cure for Parvovirus. Supportive therapy to treat symptoms of the virus often includes intravenous fluids, and drugs to prevent secondary bacterial infection and to control vomiting and diarrhea. Typically the recovery time depends on the severity of the infection.
Wall-e is a very lucky puppy and is a prime example of why vaccinations are so important! He made a full recovery and is up for adoption at Columbia Second Chance. For more information on Wall-e, visit www.columbia2ndchance.org.
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