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Lola was just eight months old when deadly disease struck.
She was home with her loving family, including her mom Debra, when Lola became visibly very sick. She was lethargic and didn’t want to walk, and then she developed vomiting and diarrhea. Her family knew that something wasn’t right.
Debra brought Lola to an emergency veterinary hospital, and she was diagnosed with parvovirus.
Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract. It spreads through contact with infected feces, and primarily affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs. Symptoms include severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and dehydration, often leading to significant illness and even death if left untreated.
Debra was heartbroken to discover, however, that the cost of the treatment for parvovirus at the emergency animal hospital wasn’t feasible for her and her family. Debra had researched parvovirus and knew that it was often fatal if left untreated. She was so scared that Lola wouldn't make it.
It all changed when Debra found Mission Animal Hospital, where we’re committed to providing accessible care through Spectrum of Care Medicine.
Spectrum of Care Medicine is a recently defined concept in veterinary medicine, where a veterinarian presents their client with a range of options for the pet’s treatment. These options take into account not only patient care and evidence-based medicine, but also the client’s budget, expectations, and cultural sensitivities. A spectrum of options can range from basic, lower cost, low-tech, and low resource dependent, to advanced, higher cost, state of the art, and resource dependent.
One of the Spectrum of Care options for parvovirus is an outpatient protocol developed by Colorado State University, which is an effective alternative to the multi-day hospitalization typically recommended to treat Parvovirus. The outpatient protocol is able to be administered at a significantly lower cost to clients. Mission Animal Hospital offers this option, and this made it possible for Lola to receive the care she needed.
The Colorado State University outpatient treatment protocol for canine parvovirus focuses on a comprehensive approach to managing the disease. It entails administering fluid therapy to prevent dehydration, antiemetics to control vomiting and nausea, antibiotics to combat secondary bacterial infections, and providing nutritional support to boost the dog's immune system. Regular monitoring of vital signs and clinical condition is crucial, along with isolating the infected dog to prevent further spread of the virus. Owners are also educated on post-treatment care, including dietary recommendations and vigilance for signs of relapse, ensuring the best possible outcomes for the infected dog while minimizing complications.
This alternative proved effective for Lola, and she slowly showed signs of recovery. First, she began to look up when her name was called, then to wag her tail again. Within a couple of weeks, Lola was back to her usual energetic, playful self!
Lola has now made a full recovery from parvovirus, and her family is so grateful for the care they received at Mission Animal Hospital.