02/02/2025
With all that we are doing, we are closed this week to finish up all cleaning. Everyone's dog is just as important to us as our dogs and the ones in rescue.
We have shared recently that Zero was sick.. We just posted that he has Parvo. One of the pups the rescue brought in from Indiana and sadly passed from it. We did not know that is what she had on top of Kennel cough and other health issues.
We know parvo is a scary thing. Believe me, we are scared but let’s share a few facts. Parvo is everywhere (Pet stores, lawns, dog parks and so on). This is not to make light of it. We are taking it very seriously! Three Vets we have talked with regarding the concern for all the other dogs in our care have all shared that adult, fully vaccinated dogs we do not need to worry about.
We do believe in complete transparency, so we are sharing and tell you all what we are working on to make sure it is safe for all.
Things we are doing:
Isolating Zero the Kennel unit not the training unit. Kerry is providing 100% of the care. We have throw away gowns, gloves and sperate shoes we use. After care is done, Kerry changes Clothes, socks and switches shoes, sprays down with Lysol, washes hands. All items being used by him are changed and thrown out daily.
We have potty pads in his kennel as it is transferred via stool and possible vomit. This way no outdoor shared potty areas.
We wear different shoes from that unit to the main unit. Then change them to the main unit shoes.
The groomer has scrubbed down the bathing unit top to bottom, the transfer hallway and her grooming area this includes walls, curtains and ceiling. She continues to disinfect everything thoroughly daily.
Kerry is working on the training area. We have cleaned with a special cleaner that kills everything including parvo. Kerry has started with where Zero was kept and may have come in contact with. This includes walls and furniture.
Now working on the flooring (Top of rubber flooring, bottom side, and the flooring underneath), training equipment, walls, mirrors and so on. After cleaning with the special cleaner, we are also steam mopping everything.
We have sprayed down the grass with the cleaner and drenched the area he used to potty in and will continue to do daily.
This is a huge process and as we work on this, every area after deep cleaning is mopped daily too.
We have three dogs that are in the main area. All three will be tested (they all are fully vaccinated) 2/9 to ensure none of them are carrying it.
All clothing, curtains, and toys are washed in the special cleaner on HOT, then rewashed with bleach on HOT, then Dried.
Anything that Zero used (prior to finding out) has been thrown out!
We take this very serously and want to make sure everything is disinfected and extra CLEAN for everyone.
Zero
This is a long post.
We are sorry we have not posted an update. We have been so busy. We wanted to make sure we have notified appropriate people on the business side and the Shelter where the Indiana Pups came from.
First off, we at NO away shape or form blame the shelter Kiwi came from. They had no idea she has what she did.
Kiwi, as we posted, passed very shortly after arriving here. She refused to eat since arrival. Monday I took her to the vet due to coughing and icky nose. Kennel cough is what the vet and I thought. Subq fluids at vet, anti-nausea injection. Antibiotics. We did supportive care and syringe feeding. Tuesday evening, she was about the same. I told her Wednesday we would take her back to vet and figure out what was going on. Sadly she passed early Wednesday morning. We had no real answers.....
Zero did not eat his breakfast Tuesday morning. I thought that is really odd for him. I added toppers to it for dinner.... he seemed a little different almost sad. So, I spent time with him. When I came in, he did not eat, now I know something is off... After I finished potting all the dogs, I had noticed Zero had thrown up a LOT. So called and made a vet appointment (they got us in within an hour or so). Got there and asked them to do a parvo test, xray to make sure there was no obstruction, run blood tests... they started with the parvo test... he is positive. The vet looked at me and said.... I am 99% sure that is what Kiwi passed from.
😭 but she was vaccinated for it, Zero is too? The Vet recommended for us to go to a 24 hr facility for supportive care. After discussing the “Best ones” as I was not going to loose another pup, she recommended UW vet school in Madison. So we headed off after pulling my son from school as no one was able to pick him up. While calling to give information to UW Vet, they quoted $5,000 to $7,000.00 for 3-5 days hospitalization. Oh gosh, the rescue does not have those funds, I personally do not have those funds, WHAT am I going to do? I will have to figure it out because WE CAN’T LOOSE HIM TOO.
We got there, they took him back into the isolation area. We could not go with. ☹
After about an hour they came out. Because we caught it early (being aware of him and his behaviors) he was stable. They did Subq fluids and IV fluids, a 2 week antibiotic shot, 2 different anti-nausea meds and touched base with us. He felt he was stable (baring some blood tests) enough for him to come back with me. We were there until about 6:45 pm.
Doc said Subq fluids 3 times a day at 100 ML each time, antinausea meds 3 times a day, If not eating can do baby food, vet checks daily for blood sugar, electrolytes and K value.
We called the vet and they agreed to see him, on their lunch hour and put us in a room they hardly ever use. Parvo is extremely contagious. Thank GOD!
This boy has had a rough go but every day is becoming more and more like his old self.
We had to buy a steam mop, throw away gowns, baby food, beef and chicken broth, more cleaner to kill the virus and more cleaning supplies.
The vets (asked 3 different ones) said all adult dogs that are fully vaccinated, are safe from this. So if you/your pup have had contact with him you should be safe. We are so sorry too.
We will post an update on how he is doing later as this post is long enough.
