The days leading up to Christmas, as I have mentioned many times before, are always hard for me work-wise. This year is no exception.
It was exactly one year ago that I had the most difficult euthanasia I’ve ever had to do. It’s a long story, one that combines my sadness over Mulan’s proximity to her own passing, an elderly woman losing her only friend, and a family whose lack of compassion left me stunned and nearly incoherent.
As we speak, a 10 week old puppy lies alone in a cage at work. He has parvo. Merry Christmas, you piece of @#$!$ backyard breeder who is not answering their phone anymore. Thank you for making me have to explain this to the young family and the child for whom the dog was intended.
They are doing everything they can. It still might not be enough. Parvovirus is notoriously unpredictable, and despite the dog looking good upon admission yesterday, he looked much worse this morning. I do not know what will happen when I get to work tomorrow. They can’t afford to transfer him to a 24 hour facility, so the puppy spends almost the next 12 hours alone, on fluids and a continuous rate infusion of an antiemetic.
I feel Kevin’s foul breath tickling the back of my neck. I know he will never go away. I know he always wins, in the end, but dammit, he needs to back the hell off right now and wait until it’s his time to take this little guy away, years from now. I have enjoyed the 12 Days of Petmas submissions so much- the love you all have for your pets inspires me. This little puppy deserves a life to bond and those moments with his family too. He does not deserve to die alone in a cage, in pain and uncomfortable. I am so worried about him.
Keep your fingers crossed for him, everyone. I’m not sure how I will react if I lose him.
If anyone knows how you feel it is me. Thank you for your kind words to me when I needed to yell at Kevin .No matter what the outcome with the puppy is ,you will be there for them just as you were for me. Hugs bcat
I wish I could kick Kevin in a really painful private place for you. You’re all in my thoughts Dr V, I’m sending lots of healing vibes to the little guy.
Kevin deserves a swift kick but even moreso, that “breeder” deserves to be shot and no chance of sitting near Kevin. The breeder deserves to sit near Sheldon, Shel for short. I hope the puppy has a miraculous recovery…
Christmas is a time of miracles and maybe just maybe this little puppy is another one. Praying so much for this little guy to get to have the life he deserves.
You and the poor little pup, as well as his family, are in my thoughts and prayers. I’ll never understand how some people could care so little for their fellow creatures. These babies only want to give us love and receive love in return. There really shouldn’t be anything difficult about that. Poor little baby.
Back off, Kevin!
If I didn’t live on the other side of the country, I’d volunteer to go and spend some time with him so he wouldn’t be lonely. This really breaks my heart.
I feel the exact same way, being on the other side of the country as well.
Love, reglan and flagyl at that little puppy. I’ll throw in some plasma for good measure. I really hate parvo.
…and just read your twitter feed… they won’t sell tamiflu for veterinary use? That’s weird. I prescribe it a lot when I have parvo puppies come in, but only if it’s been less than 12 hours since onset of clinical signs. That’s lame-I guess to conserve it for human patients rather than dogs?? You should call and tell them it’s for a Christmas Miracle (say it in the Miracle Max voice though!)
Well, it’s a combination of things. Not wanting to get into it over twitter but in this case- yeah, past the point of being useful.
Many prayers and positive vibes to this little one!!!!
Wow , Oh My , Prayers, hugs & love to the little pup.
Pru and I are sending our thoughts and love to the little pup, his family, and you. My Christmas wish is that backyard and puppy mill breeders all contract something akin to parvo (but for humans), be riddled with fleas, get intestinal parasites and be forced to live the rest of their days in cramped little cages.
Poor baby! Puppy prayers!
this has been a bad two weeks. almost on the exact anniversary of putting my most beloved heart dog to sleep i had to put my 15.5 yr old to sleep. then what i thought was one of my other dogs acting depressed, turned into illness..so one vet trip and two emergency room visits (including all ofchristmas afternoon. thanks to the vets who give up their holidays) i still have a dog that i’m worried sick about. i will keep your little parvo pup in my heart with the good vibes i’m sending out for my pup. thank you for caring for the peewee beasties.. good luck.