Jake update

[jakesmomma]

Time for the Jake update. He's still not eating or drinking, but the IV fluids they have him on give him the necessary nutrients. He had one bloody stool early this morning, but none since. He really hasn't had much diarrhea at all-only 4 or 5 since Saturday & today's was the first with blood. Some pups have "blow outs" (my vet's words!). He still vomits but only 2 times today so far. He picked his head up few a few minutes & kept his eyes open looking at me the entire time I was there today and seems to be more alert. The doctor checked his red blood cellls, protein & sugar levels today. RBCs were a tad low but he expects that in puppies, protein a bit low but the vet's not worried about that right now either. Sugar was fine. He wants Jake to go 24 hours without vomiting then he'll try a bit of food & drink (I vote for a steak and a beer-just kidding!). Once he's vomit/diarrhea free for 24 hours & can eat/drink & had pooped (a normal one!), he can go home. The tech at the clinic says it takes about 5 to 7 days for the virus to run it's course. We are on day 4.

Thank you all once again from the bottom of my heart. I know your thoughts and prayers are going to work & he'll be home chasing his big sister in no time!

Cindy

[Rainey]

So glad little Jake is improving I know he will be home in no time running all over the house. Keep your chin up and be strong....Thank you for the update

[Scully'sMom]

Cindy,

I've been checking often throughout the day to see what news there may be. It really sounds like Jake has a terrific, caring (and knowledgeable) vet.

Even though I had my first Cairn for 14 years and Scully, now for two, I never heard of a dog getting the Parvo virus. I just knew about having the vaccine.

How do these pups obtain this virus? Is this something Jake obtained after birth somehow?

[jakesmomma]

JoAnne (Skully's mom),

From what I've been told/read, parvo is a virus passed through the stool. It can live outside the body for up to a year, which means can be on the sidewalk, in your back yard, etc. Once the pup picks it up, it takes 7-10 to incubate, so yes, this is something he picked up at the "backyard breeder" I got him from, and yes, she is aware now but has not offered any recompense. This is one reason why your vet may tell you to keep your pup at home until he's completely vaccinated. They begin the shots & there is a series of 4 (I think) given every couple of weeks. The hope is that the pup's immune system kicks in somewhere in there & the vaccine can do it's trick. This also explains why some breeders don't let their pups go until 12 or 14 weeks-by this time the pup has had its shots & its immune system is up to par. Older dogs may or may not get it if they are not vaccinated. If they do, it's often mistaken for a mild stomach virus because their immune system is mature & they can fight it off much better than the vulnerable pups. The reason it's so deadly to pups is 1) the immune system is immature & they can't fight the virus, 2) the violent diarrhea often associated with it causes the lining of the intestines to slough off, leaving the pup susceptible to blood infections caused by the bacteria that normally live in his/her intestines and are benign when kept in check there. The sloughing of the lining opens up blood vessels (that's where the bloody stool comes from) and the bacteria has free access to the blood stream. A third possibility is that the pup becomes severely dehydrated and can cause cardiac arrest. My vet has said that there is no cure, only management of symptoms, hence the IV fluids, antibiotics, etc. Once they get through this, they are immune & will only require periodic boosters (kind of like once your kids get the chicken pox).

Of course, this may be WAY more than you wanted to know. If your dog is older & vaccinated, he will be fine. If I'm mistaken on any of my facts here, I apologize! I'm a people nurse, not a puppy one!

Cindy

[Scully'sMom]

Cindy,

It's most definitely not more than I wanted to know and I appreciate you taking the time to type that. Knowledge is power and God forbid if I ever encountered someone else who had the problem I'd have good information to pass along to them.

My prayers will continue with your little guy - and you - that he comes home very soon!

[maggie]

Cindy, thank you for all the info, definetly good to know, I can't wait for you to be able to bring him home. I just know he will be okay! I can't wait to see pictures of this little guy. After this whole ordeal you are going to have a very special bond with him. In the meantime stay strong and we'll keep praying.

Maggie

[Tuff&Tippy]

I'm so glad he is getting better, I thank you for the information Cindy I think it is very helpful. I unknowingly took Tippy to a friends home just after we got her to "show off" so she had 2 vaccinations, but she was like 9 weeks old, well they had 2 of their dogs get parvo in the past, and I was letting her run throughout their yard, I am damn lucky she didn't get sick now that I found out about it. I would have never taken Tippy or Tuff had I known, but hindsight is 20/20 they say. We just keep your little guy in our thoughts and prayers daily.

[MikeC]

We are still pulling for little Jake and I am glad to hear that there is improvement!

Mike

[Teri9672]

so glad his is doing a little better. Bless his little heart for having to go thru so much so young.

Bless your heart too for fighting for him.

Parvo is the biggest reason to never take your tiny puppies to places like PetSmart or dog parks.

[Bekah]

Keep getting better, Jake, we're still praying for you!

Cindy, thanks for information on Parvo, I'd never heard of it before, but its good to know.

[Guest Guest]

Okay, time for the daily Jake update. He has not had any more bloody stools since yesterday morning. He's still vomiting but not as much. Yesterday, when I tried to move his blanket closer to the door of the cage, just that little movement caused him to vomit. Today, the tech had him out for a treatment when I got there and rather than put him back in his cage, she let me hold him. First time in 5 days. I can tell he still feels awful but he relaxed on my lap after a few minutes and fell asleep. I just kept telling him he WAS going to get better and he WAS going to come home soon. It felt nice to hold him-I'd been just opening the cage door and petting him because any movement at all caused him to get sick. As I was getting ready to leave, the vet was muttering "allright all you parvo dogs, it's time to get better-you've been goofing off too long!) My vet's office has seen at least 15 cases this summer so far & there have been 2 others there besides Jake. I just thought it was cute that the vet was trying to persuade them all to get better, too!.

Today is day 5 since I took him in (dropped him off there Saturday afternoon). If the literature is correct & the virus takes 5-7 days, we should be seeing him make that big turn here real soon. I'm very pleased he's had minimal vomiting/diarrhea. Yes, he's had a bit but they usually have them both profusely.

Thanks again to you all. When we are through, I will post pictures of Jake, his big sis Dixie & me!! Someday I'd love to meet you all face to face and thank you for your support. It's meant alot to me that I can come to this site each night & know I'm going to have words of encouragement.

Cindy

[Rainey]

It was nice to hear little Jake is getting better and you got to hold him! Each day he gets a little better and closer to coming home! I wish you & Jake all the best and he will be home soon Be strong

[Eliz222]

(((((((((HUGS))))))))))), Cindy!!!!!!!!!! I'm happy to hear that Jake is feeling better and I'm crossing my fingers that he will be home soon! Please remember to take of yourself too...can't have a sick mommy, and I know it's sooooo hard on us when our babies are sick and not feeling well.

[jlr79]

Cindy I'm so glad Jake is doing better and I'm so happy that you got to hold him!! Before you know it, he'll be right back home with you and you can have so much fun spoiling him!!!! Jake and you are still in our prayers and please keep updating us!!

Jan

[toomanypaws]

Oh Cindy, I'd love to meet you too face to face. I'm sure you could use a hug right now. I'm so glad Jack is doing better and will continue to pray for him. I wish I could do more, but just know that I'm here staying very positive for his full recovery.

[maggie]

I am so glad you got to hold him, I can't wait for the next few days to go by so you can bring him home!

[Scully'sMom]

Good Morning Cindy - I hope this day brings even MORE good news to you about your little boy. I think the best medicine for Jake is that you got to hold him and he felt your love. I'm so sorry that Jake (and you) are going through this. All of us are feeling your pain but we all are optimistic that little Jake will be home soon.

[Tracy A.]

Hi Cindy:

I am so glad to hear that Jake is doing better, and you guys can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm just on the other side of the river from you in Clermont County. My Boys are just a few weeks older than Jake- I keep thinking about you. The Boys came from a breeder north of here by Columbus, OH.

I'll be happy when Jake is home with you,

Tracy

[savannahsmom35]

Yippee for Jake! Sounds like he gets better everyday!! I am so glad you got to hold him. Jake was probably glad too. I am sure that he missed that! Keep the updates coming! I also check throughtout the day to see how he is doing.

How fun would it be to have a Cairn talk "reunion" and have all the members and dogs meet!!!! Too bad we don't all live closer together... Can you imagine all the trouble that the they could get into having that many Cairns in the same place???

[Tuff&Tippy]

I'm so glad you got to hold him, and that he is getting better. Youre almost at end of a very long road. Time for a nice relaxing bubble bath, a glass of wine, and to mentaly prepare for the next phase of Jake's little life --terroizing Mom like the rest of these little 's we all love.

[jakesmomma]

Hi everybody,

Saw Jake just now. He's still not eating & a little "urpy", but he held his head up quite a while today & the techs said he was wagging his tail a little earlier. He even tried to lick my hand. He hasn't had any more bloody stools or diarrhea. The little pup in the cage next to him had come in one day earlier than Jake & he was up, eating, trying to chew on his IV today, so hopefully that will be Jake tomorrow. The vet said these guys will do that-be on death's door one day & running circles in their kennels the next. Once Jake does start to eat, they will keep him long enough to make sure he poops and that it is normal, and doesn't vomit anymore, then he can come home. I'm hoping by Monday.

Yes, a Cairn reunion would be amazing! I'll settle for these new online friendships I'm making for now!

Cindy

[Pepandfriend's mom]

Cindy, I have been following your posts on your little guy too along with a lot of other folks. I was glad to see your post today, and just looking at all the posts here, there are so many people (and pups!) pulling for Jake!

Thinking of your pup and hope that you have him home very soon.

Pam, Pepper, and Henry (my two, a Cairn and Westie)

[Scully'sMom]

Cindy, I'm glad that Jake's making strides to being his old self again. Once he can get lots of hugs and kisses from his mom and family he'll REALLY bounce back.

[toomanypaws]

Hi Cindy, I'm glad Jake is doing a little bit better everyday. I know this must be so hard on you, and poor little Jake. Have you spoken to the breeder to make her aware about the parvo?

[Rainey]

Glad Jake is improving...not long now...he will be home soon...Stay strong