I was switch Stewie's food...not totally switching...just more kibble and less of the Honest Kitchen so it would be easier to travel. He showed some signs of diarrhea...so I immediately stopped any change and left his food right where it was. This was on Sunday.
By Monday morning it was awful so I took him into the Emergency Vet at 6am. I said I thought at first it was the food...but I didn't think so anymore. They did a few tests, bloodwork, etc...I had brought in a stool sample but they didn't test it. Told me to keep him off of fluids ad food for 12 hours and then slowly re-introduce. He threw up just a tiny bit at the vets.
By Monday afternoon the symptoms had gotten worse, he had lost bowel control and was leaking badly. He had the chills and was shivering....so I put him in our heated garage with a load of blankets and hung out there with him. I took him into the vet at 5pm and they said that the way he was defecating and squatting he must be passing something sharp or uncomfortable and that not to worry because most likely it would pass and they gave him a mild pain med and his temperature was only up a little. To keep him off fluids and food.
I didn't feel good about this...so when we went home I called my brother and father who are both farmers a few hours from here...and they called their vet for me explaining everything. The vet called me back.
He asked me if Stewie's stool was foul smelling and I told him it was...so bad it was smelling up the entire house and it was leaking all over. He also had started vomitting as well.
I explained other symptoms and he immediately told me he thought it might be Parvo and to get him on antibiotics asap. I sent hubs to the local farm store for syringes and penicillin and immediately gave him some and right away (only about 10 hours later) he was SOOOO much improved. I'm glad I didn't trusts the vets and crammed 2 bottles of pedialyte down his throat!
I knew something was wrong...I suggested a virus...they don't want to give out antibiotics which I think is ridiculous....growing up on a farm the farm vets TRUSTED us...I always felt proactive in my dog's care. Just because Stewie was RELIGIOUSLY vaccinated, doesn't mean he couldn't get parvo. I could have lost him b/c they wouldn't test his stool. I could have lost him because they wouldn't dole out meds. I'm hate this. I will never go to another local vet again...my dogs will only be going to my dad's farm vet because he trusts me. And I trust him in return.
Do any of your farmgirls and boys feel the same way? Were you used to administering fluids, giving shots etc...and now you feel helpless? No more. Never again.
He's finally eating a bit, and drinking super well. He has a bit of blood left from inflammation and irritation to his colon and intestines and is walking a bit funny from all the straining and pooping...but he's a much happier boy sleeping in bed with mommy and daddy again!

I don't hate vets...just ones that think dog owners aren't as competent as they could be. With fluids and penicillin it was ALL it took to help Stewie make a super fast turnaround.
Is this scare of Parvo that it is SO difficult to treat because vets aren't being aggressive enough with it? Are they afraid to really treat an animal and push the animals healing abilities? I am so irritated.