So confused-new and sorry this is so long

[McheleM]

I recently purchased 2 yorkies, Allie and Noah. I have had them 3 weeks. (May 26th) Allie was born Jan 9 and Noah Mar 6. The breeder gave Allie 3 sets of shots, and Noah had only had 1. When I left with them, she gave me albon to give to them, she explained that she liked to give it when pups leave one environment and go to another because they were used to her house and the bacteria in it, and moving to a new environment could cause illness until they built up immunities. Made sense to me at the time.
I took them both to the vet on May 31st. They gave Allie a shot series, as well as rabies and a bordatello in the nose. They didn't give Noah any shots because of his age but did give him the bordatello in the nose. Both dogs had ear mites, which we treated and Allie had a yeast infection on her skin, which we treated with topical ointment. The vet also informed that albon is used to treat coccydia?

I let the breeder know all of this.

I took them to the vet today for a follow up for Allie and for a distemper/parvo shot for Noah. We were leaving directly after to go on vacation and taking the babies with us. My daughter and I got about 30 minutes away and she noticed Noahs eyes were really weird and he had peed on my pillow, which is unusual. She picked him up and he was limp and his head just fell back. She showed him to me and of course I turned around to head back to the vet. While driving, he was limp and every once in a while his eyes would get wide, his body would get stiff and he would throw his head back. The vet took him back immediately and started an IV and gave him some medications-they assumed it was an allergic reaction to the vaccine, but checked his blood sugar and it was low. They informed me the stiffness and eyes getting wide were seizures from low blood sugar. They also did a parvo test, even though he has had no symptoms and it came back positive.
They said he has a good chance since he had no diarrhea or vomiting and was still eating and playful. Allie tested negative. I guess because she's had more shots?? He's at the vet on IV and I feel horrible leaving but my we had non refundable tickets and hotels my mom and daughter and grandson will be visiting him several times a day so he has a familiar faces to see. I'm wondering how often a false positive can occur on a parvo test? Could it be something else? I've read conflicting info on the Internet, and of course know his best chance if it is parvo is IV fluids and hydration as well as antibiotics for secondary infection. Is it possible he got this from my house? They are inside only and are puppy pad trained- not allowed outside because I know that even if I treat my yard, the neighbors don't, as well as other people walking their dogs, raccoons, etc that come in my yard. We have had other puppies in the last 5 years and none of them ever got sick, and were even outside dogs.

He's such a tiny little guy and I will be worrying for the next 5 days and calling for frequent updates but I'm just so confused how he's been at my house for 3 weeks, never had any sign or symptom and on the day he had the vaccine, an hour later is in the emergency room and has parvo???

[yorkiesincommon]

Originally Posted by McheleM

I recently purchased 2 yorkies, Allie and Noah. I have had them 3 weeks. (May 26th) Allie was born Jan 9 and Noah Mar 6. The breeder gave Allie 3 sets of shots, and Noah had only had 1. When I left with them, she gave me albon to give to them, she explained that she liked to give it when pups leave one environment and go to another because they were used to her house and the bacteria in it, and moving to a new environment could cause illness until they built up immunities. Made sense to me at the time.
I took them both to the vet on May 31st. They gave Allie a shot series, as well as rabies and a bordatello in the nose. They didn't give Noah any shots because of his age but did give him the bordatello in the nose. Both dogs had ear mites, which we treated and Allie had a yeast infection on her skin, which we treated with topical ointment. The vet also informed that albon is used to treat coccydia?

I let the breeder know all of this.

I took them to the vet today for a follow up for Allie and for a distemper/parvo shot for Noah. We were leaving directly after to go on vacation and taking the babies with us. My daughter and I got about 30 minutes away and she noticed Noahs eyes were really weird and he had peed on my pillow, which is unusual. She picked him up and he was limp and his head just fell back. She showed him to me and of course I turned around to head back to the vet. While driving, he was limp and every once in a while his eyes would get wide, his body would get stiff and he would throw his head back. The vet took him back immediately and started an IV and gave him some medications-they assumed it was an allergic reaction to the vaccine, but checked his blood sugar and it was low. They informed me the stiffness and eyes getting wide were seizures from low blood sugar. They also did a parvo test, even though he has had no symptoms and it came back positive.
They said he has a good chance since he had no diarrhea or vomiting and was still eating and playful. Allie tested negative. I guess because she's had more shots?? He's at the vet on IV and I feel horrible leaving but my we had non refundable tickets and hotels my mom and daughter and grandson will be visiting him several times a day so he has a familiar faces to see. I'm wondering how often a false positive can occur on a parvo test? Could it be something else? I've read conflicting info on the Internet, and of course know his best chance if it is parvo is IV fluids and hydration as well as antibiotics for secondary infection. Is it possible he got this from my house? They are inside only and are puppy pad trained- not allowed outside because I know that even if I treat my yard, the neighbors don't, as well as other people walking their dogs, raccoons, etc that come in my yard. We have had other puppies in the last 5 years and none of them ever got sick, and were even outside dogs.

He's such a tiny little guy and I will be worrying for the next 5 days and calling for frequent updates but I'm just so confused how he's been at my house for 3 weeks, never had any sign or symptom and on the day he had the vaccine, an hour later is in the emergency room and has parvo???

Hi, I am so sorry you are having so many problems with your new little fur babies. The breeder should have talked with you about hypoglycemia! Small dogs can get attacks of hypoglycemia from exercise and forgetting to eat frequently, stress, shots, anything. I keep a can of Prescription Diet A/D and a food syringe handy always and if I think they are not eating properly or look like they are not doing well, I put 1/2 a/d, 1/4 water, and 1/4 Karo Syrup in a syringe and give it to them slowly. I also do this before they get any vaccines and I give them wt. appropriate dose of baby liquid benydryl. You may want to ask your vet about it and do the same. I also give it to them if I am taking them on a trip and know they do not eat well. I just give a little at a time in the side of their mouth. I would research more on parvo. It sounds like the breeder is not practicing responsibly. You really have to go the distance when breeding small dogs. I do not breed anymore but when I did I used healthy dogs and never bred the female more than twice. There are many things you can do pre-prenatal to get them really ready for puppies. Also, I give the new parents a puppy guide I have put together, many pamphlets from vets, medical history, a tote bag full of all the right stuff including a bag of great puppy food, can puppy food, can of a/d, thermometer, chewies, toys, and so much more. The guide book has a disk for how to train, crate, etc. and is in sections and can be added to. I call them after 24 hours, and again on the 3rd day, 7th day, 2 weeks, 1 month and each month thereafter until 1 yr. I try to go see them and help them with training, just talk and share. Your breeder does not sound like they really are involved enough with the entire process. You have the opportunity to really make a difference in these little ones lives and thank God they are with you now. Good luck with them and keep asking questions and researching. The internet is full of great information. Youtube has a lot of free training videos and YT is great for information. Take care and I wish you the very best.

[Woogie Man]

Your post is a lot to digest. First off, I hope Noah has a complete recovery. Since you are out of town for the next 5 days, there's not much to do but trust the vet and the course of treatment.

The usual symptoms of parvo are vomiting and diarrhea. I've never had a dog with it but it's said the diarrhea is greyish in color and has a distinctive odor. The incubation period is 7-14 days so it would seem that, if it is parvo, it didn't come from the breeder (you've had Noah for 19 days with no symptoms).

I have read of false positives for parvo due to recent vaccinations and, just by what you described, it sounds like Noah had a vaccine reaction. Could he have also had low blood sugar? Yes, but the vet should have noticed that in examining the pup before giving any shot and not given the shot if that was the case. A trained eye should have noticed that. Vaccines should never be given to a dog that is not completely healthy.

I'm a little confused why Allie was given another round of shots. Three rounds is the typical regimen and she had already had that. Also, I would never give rabies at the same time as other vaccines. It is too taxing on a small dog's system.

Yes, Albon is used to treat coccidia. Pups may have it but it may not be expressed until they are stressed, such as going to a new environment. Not sure if I agree with the breeder's explanation, but some breeders do use Albon as a 'just in case' type thing...or they may have had it in pups before. Not all pups have coccidia, but Albon is fairly benign and some do use it as a matter of course.

I think your main issue, besides Noah's recovery, is to know for sure if it is parvo. He will shed the virus for some time after coming home and a thorough cleaning with bleach is needed. Actually, if he has it, he has already shed the virus so the cleaning is necessary. Also, anyone that has been in your home may have carried the virus out on their shoes and taken it home, or to other places.

Hopefully, some of our more medically trained members can give you more info. For the moment, I don't see any option for you but to assume it is parvo and act accordingly. Again, best wishes for Noah...and Allie.

[zowiandnikasmom]

i am sorry to hear that you're going through this with your new furbabies. i truly hope that noah makes a full recovery and will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. please update us when you find out more.

[McheleM]

I posted my responses in red. Sorry the original was so much, I wanted to get as much info in, so people wouldn't have questions like how old they are, how long I've had them, etc

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

there's not much to do but trust the vet and the course of treatment.I know, I'm just beginning to wonder, after reading Internet and other things about parvo. Allie tested negative, so I have to wonder why? They share space, bed, toys, yard etc. The only thing I can think of is because she had previous shots for it. But he had a previous shot for it as well, at 6-7 weeks of age.The usual symptoms of parvo are vomiting and diarrhea. I've never had a dog with it but it's said the diarrhea is greyish in color and has a distinctive odor.He has had no symptoms at all, which is why I'm so confused. Even after being at the vet for 36 hours, he's still not showing any symptoms, and he did test positive for parvo. I'm a little confused why Allie was given another round of shots. Three rounds is the typical regimen and she had already had that.I was confused as well, but the vet has the mindset that breeders lie and therefore assume Allie hadn't actually had any shots, although I had the labels.
Yes, Albon is used to treat coccidia. Pups may have it but it may not be expressed until they are stressed, such as going to a new environment. Not sure if I agree with the breeder's explanation, but some breeders do use Albon as a 'just in case' type thing...or they may have had it in pups before. Not all pups have coccidia, but Albon is fairly benign and some do use it as a matter of course.

I think your main issue, besides Noah's recovery, is to know for sure if it is parvo. He will shed the virus for some time after coming home and a thorough cleaning with bleach is needed. Actually, if he has it, he has already shed the virus so the cleaning is necessary. Also, anyone that has been in your home may have carried the virus out on their shoes and taken it home, or to other places.

Hopefully, some of our more medically trained members can give you more info. For the moment, I don't see any option for you but to assume it is parvo and act accordingly. Again, best wishes for Noah...and Allie.

[Tcarnagie]

YES, you can have a dog that has parvo that has no vomiting and diarrhea. Texas is a HIGH parvo state and dogs should not be allowed outside for any reason until they have had 3 sets of shots. I have taken care of many parvo dogs in the past. Some have made it while others have not. Since your other dog had 3 sets of shots she would not have gotten it since her body already built up the immunity to it.

The shots can cause a reaction which is seen more these days then in years past. I never had a dog have a reaction to vaccines until recently. His blood sugar may have been a little low prior to the trip to the vet and the stress of the car ride and the shots at the vet could have dropped it lower. Then he got the shots and if he did have a reaction then that would cause it to drop even more. He already had parvo and was just undetected by you or the vet so the drop in the blood sugar and his body already trying to fight off the parvo just took its toll on him. Little dogs crash so hard and so fast that they don't always show the "classic" signs as would a larger dog.

The treatment for parvo just treats the problems that can happen as a result of having parvo. It does NOT treat parvo itself. That has to run its course and the dog has to build up an immune to it. The key is to keep the dog hydrated, antibiotics to fight off infections and nutrients to keep the dogs body going so it can continue to fight the parvo. In personal experience, I have them give the dog B12 also and that seems to make a huge difference. The treatment can take up to 5 days and there will be many bad days that it just does not seem like they are improving. I have had one that showed signs of improvement and the next day passed away. It is very hard on dogs.

With him staying at the vet's office then his chances are good. They can monitor him more closely and adjust treatment as needed. Also with him eating then that is a great sign and hopefully will make a full recovery in no time.

Sending Prayers your way.

[MaddiesMommie]

I have no experience with parvo so I have no advice for you. I am sorry Noah is sick. As stated above, the only thing you can do right now is trust your vet is giving you little guy the best of care. I pray he recovers.

I was going to comment on the second set of shots issue. My old vet started over with Maddie's shots even though I had the papers from her breeder showing she had received her first 2 sets of shots. I was confused about this and questioned it but was made to believe it was in her best interest. ???? I believed her because she was the professional.

[McheleM]

Vet said he's still had no diarrhea and/vomiting, but not eating and is very mopey. My mom and daughter have been visiting him as much as possible and mom said he seemed happy to see her today. They both tested negative for coccydia, so I'm happy about that. Can't wait to be home so I can see him again.

Thanks for all the well wishes and advice.

[McheleM]

Noah is coming home in the morning!