Canine Dysentery Virus

[Chantal]

We have just adopted a new soi dog only to discover that he has canine dysentery virus. According to the vet it is very mild and is not contagious for our other dogs. The poor thing is not eating, has the runs and vomits a lot although he is taking his medication. It is breaking my heart to see him being so dispirited.

I tried a google and it sounds like this could be parvovirosis and according to the article it is contagious. Does anybody know about this? Bambina??? Please help!

[Nienke]

We have just adopted a new soi dog only to discover that he has canine dysentery virus. According to the vet it is very mild and is not contagious for our other dogs. The poor thing is not eating, has the runs and vomits a lot although he is taking his medication. It is breaking my heart to see him being so dispirited.

I tried a google and it sounds like this could be parvovirosis and according to the article it is contagious. Does anybody know about this? Bambina??? Please help!

Hi Chantal,

A vet who dares to tell that CDV is NOT contagious and says that a dog who's not eating, has the runs and vomits is only mildy sick is a ABSOLUTE MORON. CHANGE YOUR VET, NOW!!!! Your puppy vomits AND has the runs a lot is at great risk to become dehydrated and, thus, needs fluids!

CDV is one, if not the most, contagious killer disease under puppies!

Although, your other dogs are vaccinated against this disease (I assume they are) they cetainly can still contract the disease form your puppy. They ARE at risk!

You need to keep your puppy completely seperated from your other dogs and take all precautions to prevent infection. Meaning each time you have touched the pup, you need to desinfect yourself, preferable change your clothes and have a moist mat or big flat bowl with deinfectant in the doorway inside the room you keep the pup. So, everytime you go out of the room you desinfect your feet.

After you have brought your pup to another and competent vet, you need to desinfect everything your pup has been in contact with with a desinfectant that kills the virus. (Ask this other vet what is most appropriate).

Be prepared your pup is not going to make it as upto 75% of pups that contracted distemper dies.

Chantal, bring your puppy to another vet IMMEDIATELY and bring the med's with you to show to him/her. DON"T WAIT!

I'm so sorry for your and your puppy that you are going to this. It is a horrible experience and many of us have been there.

Nienke

[Nienke]

We have just adopted a new soi dog only to discover that he has canine dysentery virus. According to the vet it is very mild and is not contagious for our other dogs. The poor thing is not eating, has the runs and vomits a lot although he is taking his medication. It is breaking my heart to see him being so dispirited.

I tried a google and it sounds like this could be parvovirosis and according to the article it is contagious. Does anybody know about this? Bambina??? Please help!

Hi Chantal,

A vet who dares to tell that CDV is NOT contagious and says that a dog who's not eating, has the runs and vomits is only mildy sick is a ABSOLUTE MORON. CHANGE YOUR VET, NOW!!!! Your puppy vomits AND has the runs a lot is at great risk to become dehydrated and, thus, needs fluids!

CDV is one, if not the most, contagious killer disease under puppies!

Although, your other dogs are vaccinated against this disease (I assume they are) they cetainly can still contract the disease form your puppy. They ARE at risk!

You need to keep your puppy completely seperated from your other dogs and take all precautions to prevent infection. Meaning each time you have touched the pup, you need to desinfect yourself, preferable change your clothes and have a moist mat or big flat bowl with deinfectant in the doorway inside the room you keep the pup. So, everytime you go out of the room you desinfect your feet.

After you have brought your pup to another and competent vet, you need to desinfect everything your pup has been in contact with with a desinfectant that kills the virus. (Ask this other vet what is most appropriate).

Be prepared your pup is not going to make it as upto 75% of pups that contracted distemper dies.

Chantal, bring your puppy to another vet IMMEDIATELY and bring the med's with you to show to him/her. DON"T WAIT!

I'm so sorry for your and your puppy that you are going to this. It is a horrible experience and many of us have been there.

Nienke

[November Rain]

I'd never heard of this, so had to google as well. I think, from what I've read, your vet was using "Dysentery" as a description of a symptom, not a diagnosis. Dysentery, as a symptom, is a word meaning frequent straining to pass small amounts of stool, often containing blood. This is, however, a symptom of parvo, too.

How old is your dog? The risk to pups is far greater than to adult dogs (which can even be carriers with no symptoms themselves). How did your vet know to exclude parvo? Did he do any tests, or is it just that your dog is older?

Any virus is contagious, so your vet was wrong with that. That is the nature of viruses, to mutate & spread themselves. Even if it's not parvo, it is contagious. Do you have other dogs? If so, isolate this one & wash your hands straight after dealing with it. Put any soiled bedding into a bleach & water mix, before washing and dispose of any other waste immediately (apart from the isolation, these are all good ideas, whether you have other dogs or not)

The danger with vomiting & diarrhoea is dehydration. Has your vet given you any electrolyte mixes or anything to rehydrate & compensate for mineral loss? If you're really worried & this shows no sign of getting better, consult your vet about the possibility of fluids given either IV or subcutaneously. You can test for dehydration by pinching the skin at the back of the neck. It should spring back immediately. If it takes some time, the dog is dehydrated & some action needs to be taken.

Good luck.

[Nienke]

We have just adopted a new soi dog only to discover that he has canine dysentery virus. According to the vet it is very mild and is not contagious for our other dogs. The poor thing is not eating, has the runs and vomits a lot although he is taking his medication. It is breaking my heart to see him being so dispirited.

I tried a google and it sounds like this could be parvovirosis and according to the article it is contagious. Does anybody know about this? Bambina??? Please help!

Hi Chantal,

Oops, read it wrongly.

Nevertheless, parvovirus is another highly contagious disease with a very high mortality rate under puppies. And same applies: go to another vet, your pup most probably need fluids, because it has the runs and vomits.

Nienke

[November Rain]

Sorry, must have been posting at the same time as Nienke.

[Nienke]

Sorry, must have been posting at the same time as Nienke.

GOOD!!!! Because you know as well as I do, how contagious both parvovirus and distemper is, and what a rotten diseases both are.

I'm shocked that somebody who calls him/herself a vet, can tell a dog owner that it is not contagious.

IMO, this is an emergency.

Nienke

[elfe]

hi chantal,

very sorry to read about your new dog...

best advice already given by nienke and november rain.

no appetite is a very alarming sign, adding vomitting and/or diarrhea, sometimes bloody, needs immediate action. several viral diseases could be the cause.

as you can't kill the virus, antibiotics have to be given (in case of vomitting by injection) to reduce the side effects as diarrhea and others. with bloody stool vitamin k1 injections are good to help stop bleeding inside. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO HYDRATE THE DOG. immediately give fluids, best intravenous at the vet or by yourself subcutaneously.

if vomitting don't offer any water to drink anymore as it would make it worse as it can't stay in the dogs body. just give fluids into the body.keep the dog seperated in a quiet, cool room with bedding. if necessary wet the mouth with a sponge.

good luck

[Chantal]

Thanks so much Guys

Am on my way to another vet now!

[Nienke]

Good luck, Chantal!

[Chantal]

Just returned from Dr Suchon who also says that he has a mild case of CDV although he also has pneumonia. According to the doc this is the reason why he is not eating. Gave him 2 injections and a tablet for tonight and we are already seeing some life in the poor dog.

When he was a soi dog he used to lie outside in the rain....sopping wet!!!

Once again Guys and Nienke thanks so much. Am monitoring the siutation and have to take Rascal back to the vet tomorrow. Hopefully all will go well. Really hate to see animals suffering.

[BambinA]

Dear Chantal,

For canine viral enteritis such as parvovirus and coronavirus is super contagious virus.The motality rate is about 70 % in pups due to blood loss ,dehydration and tiger heart disease.

Well, many posters above put really useful information. However, I would like to put something new.

For these nasty virus is quite tolerant for UV, heat and common disinfectants. 1 Thing can eliminate them is Sodium hypoclorite (Bleach) such as "Haiter" ไฮเตอร์ (brand name).

[November Rain]

Chantal,

How's your dog doing?

[Chantal]

Chantal,

How's your dog doing?

Thanks for asking November Rain and for the advice Bambi!

Rascal is getting better although we took him to the vet this afternoon again. His temp is very high and the doc has changed his antibiotics. Will take him back tomorrow again. The doc reckons that if the fever breaks he will improve a lot. Rascal is eating a little - he enjoys some roast beef chunks and biltong (a S.A. delicacy). The diarrorhea has stopped and he is drinking a lot of water. Still throws up a lttle phlegm.

He is honestly such a lovely dog. All our other dogs and cats (2 dogs and 6 cats) have taken to him. So much so that when we go for a little walk 5 of the 6 cats as well as the dogs enjoy escorting him. Causes quite a few laughs from the locals.

Many thanks again for all your concerns.

[Chantal]

For those of you who have been so kind and helpful - my dog Rascal seems to be recovering very well. He has put on some weight and steals the other dogs and cats food as well. He is still on medication until the end of this week.

Am sooo happy!

[Nienke]

For those of you who have been so kind and helpful - my dog Rascal seems to be recovering very well. He has put on some weight and steals the other dogs and cats food as well. He is still on medication until the end of this week.

Am sooo happy!

YES!!! GREAT!!!! Very happy for you and your dog.

Party time:

meat loaf cake for the dogs and a bottle of wine for you! :D

[November Rain]

Excellent news!

[Skyline]

Thats great news Chantal,hope he continues to improve!!!

[bonnie]

For those of you who have been so kind and helpful - my dog Rascal seems to be recovering very well. He has put on some weight and steals the other dogs and cats food as well. He is still on medication until the end of this week.

Am sooo happy!

Hi,

It has been a very long time since I've posted anything and the note from Chantal about Rascal is old already, but I wanted to write.

First, I am very happy to hear that your soi dog recovered. My husband, not knowing that one shouldn't get pets at Chutuchak brought two sweet puppies home for our children, much to the chagrin of our old cat. Anyway, I took them to a local vet two days later to get them their shots as I was pretty sure they hadn't had any although the scammers had given my husband official enough looking papers.

One of the puppies had developed a cough and thus began the beginning of the end. I went from one vet to the hospital to finally another hospital over the next several weeks. Sometimes, they could come home with me and they'd eat and drink a little between the huge amounts of medication they needed to take. They had canine distemper, and I had convinced myself that since they were so loving even though they were so sick, they would rally and make it through. In the end, after eye operations and other horrors, I knew enough was enough. It was hard to get anyone to actually tell me they really never stood a chance.

Anyway, it was my family's first foray into dog ownership as we've always had cats. We have a big fenced in garden and I'd like to get another couple of puppies when we get back from vacation at the end of August. Is it possible to actually get puppies who have had their shots and can be expected to be healthy? Or should I just get a couple in Canada and bring them back with me. I've actually been told this is the best idea, but I feel sorry for the abundance of unwanted dogs here! Advise please?

PS

Sorry this is so long. Just needed to vent.

[sbk]

Honestly bonnie, I'd go for a rescue dog. Start young, not sure where you are located but there are several places that can help guarantee you a healthy dog. Local dogs are supremely adapted to the climate and bacteria/viruses etc. I have 4 and all are quite healthy. Two have never had an ill day in their lives and they are 5 years old.

Pinned at the top of the forum is a free pets link, check their for organizations in your area.

[Nienke]

Hi Bonnie,

I can only second what SBK says. I see you live in BKK, so best is to contact Soi Dog Rescue www.soidogrescue.org

Pups under their care are well taken cared off and all have received the necessary vaccines. Much higher chance to get a healthy pup or pups there.

Nienke

[elfe]

i would highly recommend to get a pup older than 4 months if you don't know anything about its former surroundings, mother etc. also from shelters and markets and shops of course. the older the pup the less the risk it has these horror diseases. puppies can only be vaccinated effectively at an age about 8-12 weeks, before that they have immunity from the mother. that is why shops and markets sell their dogs so very young because then the (even already infected) puppies still look healthy and fit. the immune system of dogs is competely developped only with 6 months of age, actually only then vaccines work really properly...

i would never give away any of my puppies below the age of 3,5 months, preferably later. too many risks that anytung goes wrong in the new (mostly unexperienced with these puppy sicknesses) home.

if you are in the samui area, maybe you like to check out my puppies, they are now 3,5 months old, male and female soi dog mixes, rather small in size

[Nienke]

i would highly recommend to get a pup older than 4 months if you don't know anything about its former surroundings, mother etc. also from shelters and markets and shops of course. the older the pup the less the risk it has these horror diseases. puppies can only be vaccinated effectively at an age about 8-12 weeks, before that they have immunity from the mother. that is why shops and markets sell their dogs so very young because then the (even already infected) puppies still look healthy and fit. the immune system of dogs is competely developped only with 6 months of age, actually only then vaccines work really properly...

i would never give away any of my puppies below the age of 3,5 months, preferably later. too many risks that anytung goes wrong in the new (mostly unexperienced with these puppy sicknesses) home.

if you are in the samui area, maybe you like to check out my puppies, they are now 3,5 months old, male and female soi dog mixes, rather small in size

If you get a pup older than 7 to 8 weeks, you have to be sure it has received the proper socialisation, which is often not the case with older pups at petshops or markets.

Dogs that haven't received the proper socialisation during the socialisation period (that is from about 3 weeks of age till approx 3 1/2 months of age) can develop permanent behavior problems. For example, a pup raised in a cage or a kennel with many different other dogs, but has not seen many people and children other than the breeder, petshop owner or care-taker can develop permanent fear for strangers. Later on this fear can often be shaped in manageable behavior, but if not reinforced on a very regular basis, the dog can quickly fall back in his old fearfull behavior, meaning a lot of extra work for the new owner. Pups raised with only a couple and always the same dogs can develop fear behavior towards any other unknown dogs, or dogs not socialised with small dogs may not recognize those as dogs, etc. etc.

Proper socialisation takes a lot of time and effort, but the reward is a stable and well-adjusted adult dog that usually last many years.

Nienke

[bonnie]

Thank you all for your advice. Yes, we live in Bangkok and you're right about getting a rescued soi dog. It's just that my kids seem to want small dogs and I always think of soi dogs as being big. But I think they'll be able to help us get a dog that is okay with kids and hopefully our cat.

The people at Soi Dog Rescue have been very kind and helpful when I've spoken to them about finding hurt or struggling stray cats around my house. I'm currently watching and waiting for two kittens to grow a little more before I take them back to get their second dose of deworming stuff from a very nice vet I've found. If I can catch the mother I'll take her in for her innoculations and get her spayed as she hardly seems able to care for these two let alone any others she might have. Plus, I don't want my old cat to pick up anything from this family...I don't know why they're staying here. We're not feeding them.

Thanks again.

Bonnie

[Nienke]

Probably because you give them the love and care they need and they know that!

Nienke

Edited July 2, 2007 by Nienke

[sbk]

Not all rescue dogs are big. There are smaller dogs out there, just not teeny ones like Chihuahuas.

They can help you pick out a smaller dog as well. And good for you for taking care of kitties. If you get the chance be sure to get them sterilized when old enough!

[Chantal]

Sorry to hear about the pups Bonnie!!

I'm in agreement - contact the Soi Dog Foundation. There are so many dogs of all types in desperate need of a good loving home.

All my soi dogs are the most wonderful animals I have had. Rascal was the first to be seriously ill when we took him home. He is now re named Shadow - wanted to call him that in the beginning but could not as he was so skeletal when he was ill. Now that he is better he is a Shadow.....mine

[geriatrickid]

Another plug for the rescue route is that the dogs are more likely to be socialized. The shelter provides an opportunity for an animal to be around other dogs without major turf wars breaking out.

[bonnie]

You've all convinced me. It's to Soi Dog Rescue for our new pets when we get back from vacation.

I've just rescued one of the kittens from being stuck in the drainpipe(?) How it got in there is beyond me.

Yes, I want to have the kittens sterilized as well. I think they're only about 4 weeks old now. When is the soonest they can be done?

Bonnie

[November Rain]

Bonnie, Is it definitely a pup you want? I only ask, because it can be difficult to know how big pups are going to be, unless you've seen the parents. I'm just wondering, as we've got an adult female toy poodle cross here. She's friendly, socialised, loves kids (she follows my little boy everywhere). I'm pretty sure she was owned before & then dumped when she got mange (which we've cured). I think she's about 2. She will need some basic training as she can be a bit exuberant & is still a little bit insecure about being left alone. She is vaccinated & we'll get her neutered, as a matter of course, anyway. Our center is in Hua Hin, but we've rehomed dogs to BKK before & I have no problem with that. Let me know if you're interested or if it definitely has to be a pup (we have those, too )