A Sad Christmas
I had planned on a happy post introducing the newest member of our family, but things have not gone well.
A few days ago, we adopted this little guy from a nearby city pound. For reasons I'll explain later, we call him Murray.
A few days ago, we adopted this little guy from a nearby city pound. For reasons I'll explain later, we call him Murray.
As you can imagine, the pound was a horrid place and we took him straight to the vet. Everything was going well until the other night when I noticed he had tired out particularly fast. Soon after, the vomiting and diarrhea started.
We took him to the vet the first thing in the morning and got smacked with our worst fear. He had the Parvo virus.
Many years ago, when I was a vet tech, veterinarians all across the country were being hit with a monster disease no one could identify. Puppies and even adult dogs died in spades, and they died painfully. I was at the clinic at all hours changing out bags of lactated Ringer's (fluids) and helping with blood transfusions. We lost almost everyone. In the meantime, scientists gave us a name for this disease. Canine parvovirus.
Today, with massive fluids, antibiotics and round the clock care, some puppies and dogs can be saved. This is where I am now.
Greg took Tank and Iko back home with him and I am here with Murray, doing my best to keep him alive long enough that he can rebuild his strength and fight off this disease. There is no cure for Parvo. It's just me and him. His odds are 50-50. He's very young and that's a big strike against him. He doesn't yet have a well developed immune system. But I did catch it early and that's a plus.
If Murray can give me 50%, I'll throw in the other 50 and maybe we can beat this thing. All I want for Christmas is a healthy puppy.
If you can find it in your heart, say a prayer for my little guy. We are desperate for a break from his downward spiral. We had an especially bad night yesterday. Murray needs all the prayers and good thoughts he can get.
I am taking off a few days to spend more time with my sick baby. I'll be back 12-31-11. Take care, everyone.
We took him to the vet the first thing in the morning and got smacked with our worst fear. He had the Parvo virus.
Many years ago, when I was a vet tech, veterinarians all across the country were being hit with a monster disease no one could identify. Puppies and even adult dogs died in spades, and they died painfully. I was at the clinic at all hours changing out bags of lactated Ringer's (fluids) and helping with blood transfusions. We lost almost everyone. In the meantime, scientists gave us a name for this disease. Canine parvovirus.
Today, with massive fluids, antibiotics and round the clock care, some puppies and dogs can be saved. This is where I am now.
Greg took Tank and Iko back home with him and I am here with Murray, doing my best to keep him alive long enough that he can rebuild his strength and fight off this disease. There is no cure for Parvo. It's just me and him. His odds are 50-50. He's very young and that's a big strike against him. He doesn't yet have a well developed immune system. But I did catch it early and that's a plus.
If Murray can give me 50%, I'll throw in the other 50 and maybe we can beat this thing. All I want for Christmas is a healthy puppy.
If you can find it in your heart, say a prayer for my little guy. We are desperate for a break from his downward spiral. We had an especially bad night yesterday. Murray needs all the prayers and good thoughts he can get.
I am taking off a few days to spend more time with my sick baby. I'll be back 12-31-11. Take care, everyone.
Comments
Poor baby. He hates getting the needle. I could really use another set of hands to hold him while I feed the drip.
Julie: Thanks. We both need it.
Cherie: I just wish he'd been a little older so he'd have a better chance.
Sarah: Thanks, hon. Frenchie vibes are worth their weight in gold. :)
Sandra: If ever I needed a miracle, this would be it.
Jim
PS: Hugs and kisses to Tank and Iko as well.
PSS: Marry Christmas.
We send tons of love!!
I had to take my own six-month old dog into the vet last weekend, after finding her eating pain relief tablets – they contained ingredients which can cause liver failure in dogs. Fortunately she was treated quickly, and is back to her bouncy self again now. But, I can understand what you must be going through.
Just wanted to stop by and say hello. Hugs!
Sue: Amen
Mike: Thank you.
Jim: I know you know what I've gone through. Thanks for being there for me.
Angelina: Sadder still is that his littermates we left behind are probably dead by now.
Mac: Thank you. That's some heavy-duty love your kids are sending us. :)
The Blogger FKA: Oh, no! Is this Nada? These puppies are going to be the death of us. Glad she's feeling better, but what a scare.
Ronda: Thanks, hon. I'll try to post tomorrow on Facebook if he makes it tonight.
Suzanne: Thank you, Suzanne. I think it's Christmas on your side of the world by now. Merry Christmas, sweetie.
Whichever way things go, Murray has known your love. I pray there will be many more years of love to come.
My baby had a septisemy this year and i was devastated. I took him at home too and it wasn't easy he couldn't eat so i had to use a syring to give him his antibiotic and such ( he was happy) and he is thanksfully well now even really impatient to get his gift this year( after the vet told me he had only a small very small chance with his heart weakened and all)he is a fighter because he know i need him so much
Stay strong and tell him how much he counts for you and he will give you all he had
all my prayers are with you
Krista: Thank you. Every time I start to get depressed I remind myself there's no time for that now, not as long as he needs me.
Kay: Thank you, Kay.
Angela: He probably doesn't think too highly of me when I have to stick him with a needle. His crying just breaks my heart. But he forgives me quickly for which I'm grateful.
The Blogger Girlz: I never ask for anything for Christmas. But I'm asking this year. Thank you.
Miki: How awful. But I'm so glad your baby recovered.
I just pray I'm smart enough and intuitive enough to give Murray what he needs when he needs it. My vet didn't give me much hope either, but this isn't the first time I've had to move heaven and earth to save my babies. Thank you for sharing your story.
Hugs, hopes, prayers and good wishes Maria and Murray is in good hands for however long he lives. (Hope that is many happy years with his new family!)
Jackie: Thank you, Jackie. I know you understand this very well. It cuts you to the heart to see a little creature suffer so much.
Dru: Thank you, sweetie.
Raelyn: I wish your cards could tell me what to do next. If I'm not nursing him, I'm researching every veterinary text I can find. It hurts me to see him so weak.
Merry Christmas, Maria. I pray everything turns out well.
I wising you a Merry Christmas.
Kaye: Thank you, Kaye. Every hour I can keep him going improves his chances. We just have to outlast the virus.
Marianne: Thank you for stopping by and for tagging me on Facebook with your call for prayers. Ill's update my FB page as soon as we finish our sub-cu drip and meds.
Lily survived parvo as a pup, thanks to the round-the-clock care from the rescue shelter volunteer. You're doing all you can for him. Prayers that he meets you halfway.
We are a long way from recovery, but I am keeping my hopes up. I am never more than a foot away from him and I watch him like a hawk.
Thank you for checking on us.
Hugs and best wishes to both of you and get some rest if you can.
HUGS
Hi guys!
I'll have more news this afternoon when I've visited with the vet, but Murray is eating on his own. It truly is a miracle.
For more than two days I watched him waste away. I thought I was going to lose him on Saturday. But Christmas he seemed to turn the corner, and today he actually has an appetite.
He's not out of the woods yet. Recovery takes a long time. But for the first time in days, I'm hopeful. This has been the longest week of my life.
Thank you so much for your messages and emails. I've been all alone with Murray this week and it's good to know you guys are there to keep my spirits up.
I'm just getting around to being back on line. I missed this when it originally happened. Adding more prayers to the bunch. When we lost Pumpkin two hours after we'd brought him home it just about killed us. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. Sounds like a good sign he wants to eat. I'm sure he's in great hands and happier with you than someone else. Take care of your precious baby and yourself!
Denise
All will be well because you believe and have love.
Hugs
Cecile
If Facebook will cooperate, I'll post a video.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
my prayers are with you and Murray. What a fighter! Your post and the comments have me in tears, and I am sending all good thoughts and those of my friends your way. Take care, and keep us posted.
~Cate
He was gagging a bit last night, and we were up a good part of the night until the hacking subsided.
***
CJ: Good luck with your puppy. He's got a little more resistance at six months, but Parvo plays no favorites with age. Before a vaccine was introduced, I'd seen dogs of all ages die within days.
Thankfully, treatment today is far more aggressive. If you can catch it in time, you can beat it. Good luck, hon.
PS Checked out your blog. Kevin is adorable! That is one lucky pup.
Just wanted to come by and wish you a wonderful, love-filled 2012.
all the best and Happy New Year to you, Murray and the rest of the family
Since 7 weeks have gone past and improving as time goes on it won't be too long Murray before you are running circles around Mom and running her ragged from the sheer energy of a playful puppy!