Okanagan Vet Warns Dog Owners About Parvovirus After Sick Puppy Found

A severely underweight three-month-old puppy, found wandering in the Oliver area of British Columbia, is now fighting for its life after being diagnosed with parvovirus. The puppy, named Lucky, was rescued by a woman who initially intended to adopt him but rushed him to a veterinarian when his condition worsened overnight.

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He was not eating and didn’t take any water the night she had him.

Romany Runnalls of the Okanagan Humane Society described the puppy's distress, stating he was not eating or drinking. Lucky was then diagnosed with parvovirus, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that primarily affects young dogs. Veterinarian Dr. Harsh Joshi explained that the virus attacks a puppy's digestive system, leading to severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and loss of appetite.

Dr. Joshi highlighted the severity of the illness, noting that the puppy's body cannot absorb water or nutrients and loses fluids through the gastrointestinal tract. The virus spreads easily through contact with infected dogs, contaminated items, and public places like dog parks.

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We got a distressed email at three o’clock in the morning saying that this dog was in distress and critical.

For unvaccinated dogs, the mortality rate can be devastating, reaching 80 to 90 percent. However, animal advocates stress that parvovirus is highly preventable through regular vaccinations. A full series of puppy vaccinations typically costs a few hundred dollars, a stark contrast to the $4,000 to $5,000 treatment cost for parvo, which still may not guarantee survival.

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He is going through severe dehydration. His body cannot absorb water or nutrients, and he is losing water through his gastrointestinal tract.

As Lucky continues his battle, his story serves as a critical reminder to pet owners in the Okanagan region and beyond about the importance of keeping their animals' vaccinations up to date. One missed vaccination, experts warn, can indeed be the difference between life and death.

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The mortality rate can be 80 to 90 per cent in unvaccinated dogs.