‘Miracle dog’ Olly beats deadly virus

1:00pm Sunday 18th March 2012 in News by Harriet Marsh

RECOVERY: Yvonne Burgess with six-month-old Olly who has just recovered from parvovirus

A ‘MIRACLE dog’ from Poole is recovering from a deadly virus that’s claimed pets’ lives in the county.

Six-month-old Olly started vomiting violently after contracting the highly contagious parvovirus, despite having had his jabs.

Owner Yvonne Burgess is warning other dog walkers of the risks after nearly losing her beloved pet.

Yvonne, from Lagland Street, said: “Olly started retching and vomiting and had diarrhoea.

“He was gradually getting worse and worse and worse.”

Vets at Pets At Home, near Fleetsbridge, did not think the black Springer-cross would make it and he was rushed to intensive care at Walton Lodge vets.

now he is back home and allowed out for walks again.

Yvonne, 56, said: “They think Olly picked it up sniffing the mess of another dog that hasn’t been vaccinated.

“He’s made a full recovery thanks to the brilliant vets, but I want people to have their dogs vaccinated and clean up after them.

“If not they’re going to end up like Olly was.”

she added: “We tend to be a bit more paranoid now. If we see him sniffing anything we make sure he gets away.

“The vet said he’d seen three cases in the past three years and the other two didn’t make it.

“Olly is a miracle dog.”

PARVO is a common and potentially serious viral disease in dogs, which first appeared clinically in 1978.

larger breeds are more susceptible but any breed can get parvovirus and vaccinations are the best protection.

it can affect the heart muscle causing breathing difficulty and death in very young dogs, or the intestines with symptoms including lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and fever.

there is no treatment specifically for parvovirus beyond supportive care with antibiotics, fluids and anti-vomiting drugs.

many puppies infected need to be hospitalised. Surviving the first three days is usually a good sign for long term survival.

she is a one year-old bichonapoo.(bichon mixed with a puddle) she is a very energetic dog, but today she is very lathargic, shy, jumpy, eyes are droopy, not playful at all. she got into some oranges. but i dont think it has a relation. some one help i am very worried.

she might just have had a bad day but if your really concerned call your vet and tell them this.

my dog didnt have these symptoms so im not sure
u should go check with a vet

You might want to call the vet and ask them

May have gotten into something else also. May need to see a vet to rule out poison.

That's what vets are for – get her to one if she isn't o.k. in a day or so.

call the vet.

It definitely sounds as though your dog isn't feeling well! the tiredness, dull eyes etc. are classic signs. the oranges may have something to do with it, depending on whether or not she actually ate any, and if so, how many.

Orange peel and pith can be irritating to a dogs digestive system and she could have a pretty upset tummy. Of course, that could just be coincidence and it could be something else entirely.

I suggest you take her to your veterinarian tomorrow and get his opinion. It's always better safe than sorry! Hope she's feeling better soon.

I would take to vet asap to make sure it isnt poisoning. maybe pesticides on oranges? I know grapes can be toxic.

she is haveing an elerjic reaction its conpleatly natural she probly got into something and u didnt see her u should take her to the vet and find out what it was that she ate or was around that she is elerjic to so that it does not happen again

I hate to say it but I would strongly suggest an emergency vet these small dogs can go down hill so fast and the symptoms she is deffinately not feeling well.