Tails Today

Tails 

10/22/2013

Using the internet resources of Wikipedia, I  just wanted to get the word out about something that strikes fear in the hearts of canine pet owners. This is a true story about Tails contracting this virus, in her own yard, where she is always leash walked, and never leaves the yard. The same for her canine siblings, Sadie and Grub. Infected stray animals are likely the culprits to have brought this frightening story with a happy ending into our summer.  

 Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV2, colloquially parvo) is a contagious virus mainly affecting dogs. The disease is highly contagious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces. It can be especially severe in puppies that are not protected by maternal antibodies or vaccination. It has two distinct presentations, a cardiac and intestinal form. The common signs of the intestinal form are severe vomiting and dysentery. The cardiac form causes respiratory or cardiovascular failure in young puppies. Treatment often involves veterinary hospitalization. Vaccines can prevent this infection, but mortality can reach 91% in untreated cases. Canine parvovirus will not infect humans.^[1]     From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 

Tails's encounter with this virus happened June of this year. The mystery of her exposure to it remains, since she and her canine siblings,  9 year old Sadie and 4 year old Grub are pretty much isolated from other animals.  The happy ending is that with 2 weeks of treatment at home, Tails is a healthy, and growing 1 year old with liberties and privileges afforded responsible behavior to a pup this age. 

JUNE 

2013 

Monday morning we traveled to a nearby vet with a puppy showing signs of dehydration in just 24 hours after her first vomit episode. One test for the virus later, (Diagnosis is made through detection of CPV2 in the feces by either an ELISA or a hemagglutination test, or by electron microscopy  : From Wikipedia)  the diagnosis was certain. We immediately began the crash course training of how to insert needles for fluids, and a list of do's and don'ts for the next 2-3 weeks... at home, (the hospitalization plan was not in our budget).  

*Footnote to this treatment at home... Take it Very Seriously! This very ill, vulnerable and trusting animal is counting on YOU to get her through this.. and the bond you form here, will live forever.

Treatment

Hydration is critical throughout the recovery period, so leaving the pup alone is NOT an option. Soothing words and  loving attention go a long way in bringing the animal back to full health. Isolation from all other pets is imperative and you won't want the patient to feel he or she is being punished at this time, so being nearby for communication, and taking the potty walks will be a 'special' treat. 

Survival rate depends on how quickly CPV is diagnosed, the age of the dog and how aggressive the treatment is...Treatment usually involves extensive hospitalization, due to the severe dehydration and damage to the intestines and bone marrow. ...Treatment ideally also consists of crystalloid IV fluids and/or colloids, antinausea injections (antiemetics) such as metoclopramide, dolasetron, ondansetron and prochlorperazine, and antibiotic injections such as cefoxitin, metronidazole, timentin, or enrofloxacin.^[25] IV fluids are administered and antinausea and antibiotic injections are given subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously. The fluids are typically a mix of a sterile, balanced electrolyte solution, with an appropriate amount of B-complex vitamins, dextrose and potassium chloride. Analgesic medications such as buprenorphine are also used to counteract the intestinal discomfort caused by frequent bouts of diarrhea. ...Once the dog can keep fluids down, the IV fluids are gradually discontinued, and very bland food slowly introduced. Oral antibiotics are administered for a number of days depending on the white blood cell count and the patient's ability to fight off secondary infection. A puppy with minimal symptoms can recover in 2 or 3 days if the IV fluids are begun as soon as symptoms are noticed and the CPV test confirms the diagnosis. If more severe, depending on treatment, puppies can remain ill from 5 days up to 2 weeks. However, even with hospitalization, there is no guarantee that the dog will be cured and survive...  Untreated cases of CPV2 have a mortality rate approaching 91%. With aggressive therapy, survival rates may approach 80-95%, a mortality rate of 5-20%.   

From Wikipedia

Prevention and Decontamination

Prevention is the only way to ensure that a puppy or dog remain healthy because the disease is extremely virulent and contagious. The virus is extremely hardy and has been found to survive in feces and other organic material such as soil for over a year. It survives extremely cold and hot temperatures. The only household disinfectant that kills the virus is bleach.^[19]

Puppies are generally vaccinated in a series of doses, extending from the earliest time that the immunity derived from the mother wears off until after that passive immunity is definitely gone.^[33] Older puppies (16 weeks or older) are given 3 vaccinations 3 to 4 weeks apart.^[20] The duration of immunity of vaccines for CPV2 has been tested for all major vaccine manufacturers in the United States and has been found to be at least three years after the initial puppy series and a booster 1 year later.^[34]

A dog that successfully recovers from CPV2 generally remains contagious for up to three weeks, but it is possible they may remain contagious for up to six. Ongoing infection risk is primarily from fecal contamination of the environment due to the virus's ability to survive many months in the environment. Neighbors and family members with dogs should be notified of infected animals so that they can ensure that their dogs are vaccinated or tested for immunity. The vaccine will take up to 2 weeks to reach effective levels of immunity; the contagious individual should remain in quarantine until other animals are protected.^[35]      

^{From Wikipedia}

^{If I had read this information the first day we started treatment, I would have had a very heavy heart to carry throughout the two weeks we treated Tails. But in my ignorance, I just charged into the treatments of fluids, needles, pills, liquids, and love ( and prayers too ) and saw immediate results!} 

^{Tails is a tale of a happy ending!} 

Gators n Tales

In the Interest of Safety ...

... apply

Duct Tape 

... not your everyday household pet ... 


The Reward

I love the outdoors, and although the critters keep me in a constant state of almost panic, I thrive on seeing them in their own environment. An afternoon of kayaking after more than 7 years since our last adventure in a canoe, left me realizing we are NOT yet too old , and it is soothing therapy to a weary soul when the everyday insanity of this life beats us down. 
An inexpensive way to get closer to my mate, (relying on each other to simultaneously paddle forward and with control, steer, and balance this vessel),  teaches a lot more, than a costly counseling session series. 



KAYAKS 

Kayaking Shell Creek  http://www.charlottecountyfl.com/communityservices/ParkPages/hathaway.asp
offers inland waterways adventures and photo ops in the peaceful natural habitat of Florida.

Kayak Rentals are a great way to test your skills and abilities for endurance, while comfortably exploring the wonderful "Old Florida" in your area. We rented from 
 http://itstimekayakandcanoe.com/  spontaneously last week and they were very accommodating! 

KUDZO

Kudzo covers the native plants along the banks, providing interesting "natural sculptures". Although it is considered an invasive species,   http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/parks/kudzu.html , it does add visual treats to the journey.  And here is some food for thought on this plant, 

http://maxshores.com/the-amazing-story-of-kudzu/  ,  http://www.thekitchn.com/did-you-know-you-can-eat-kudzu-92488  , just in case you were wondering. 

The photo to the left kind of  made me think of the elaborately sculpted images in theme parks.


In the photo below... what is not obvious... is that less than 10 feet off the stern of our kayak lay a very patient, but soon to be aggravated by our presence, 4' gator resting on the grass. Having seen him on the way upstream, we were surprised to find him still there an hour later when we floated back, and decided it was a photo moment. After a few minutes of video of him, I turned to take a few still shots of the kudzo on the other bank, and shortly thereafter the sunbather loudly splashed back into the creek making sure we understood his frustration of our intrusion. Yes, he got MY attention! 

Over 6'  or ... Larger than Life...

We saw this fellow from quite a distance away and that gave plenty of video and still photo time. To our surprise.. he never left his beach as we slowly approached and paddled past, a bit cautiously I might add. The reflection in the creek provided a pretty cool illusion here.

Justice In the Images

As with most of our adventures in nature, the images we bring back in video or photos just don't seem to do justice to the beauty of what we saw. Suffices to say, get out there and see your surrounding natural beauty and environment for yourself. 

From Spazz to Tails

The thunder and lightning sent Spazz scurrying for elusive shelter and safety. That was the last night we had together. September 7, 2012.

Anniversaries are for recalling the moments past, and creating memories for the future. Some will generate smiles, laughter, joy- others will bring melancholy, sorrow, tears. 
A mixed bag of emotions now wrap the date of September 8th. The anniversary of our wedding, and the day we let Spazz go to be with Shakey. 
Ever since May 30th, our walks around the block had been a challenge for Spazz and for me. Every few steps  Spazz would turn and look back at the house, as if he expected Shakey to come down the road and join us. Heart breaking for me to see this, I would tell Spazz, "No, he's not coming. It's just you and me now." And it always reminded me of the first few days Shakey was with us, before we found his littermate/companion at the Dog Pound. Shakey sniffed the grounds of the Marina (where he had last seen Spazz,) so aggresively for his brother's scent, I feared he would inhale enough soil into his lungs that he would fill them and die! 
A more pitiful and heart broken animal I had never seen... until now ...    They had been so connected in Spirit, that it was nearly impossible for one to live without the other. And the clock was ticking for Spazz.
On the morning of September 8th, he let me know it was what he wanted. To be with Shakey. So a trip to the Batesville Animal Clinic, revealed via an xray that it indeed was our time to say goodbye.  This little fella was the last heart break I can handle ... really .... my adventures with them have been  PRICELESS .... I miss my walks with them ... and I miss their fierce protection of our home ... and I don't want this kind of hurt again. 
But to end this eulogy on an upbeat note ... the following story will explain that I am not so cold and calloused that I don't want to be around animals... just can't take the pain of connection and Devoted Love going away.  

The Tale of Tails

9: 20 a.m. 12/18/2012          Free to a good home 12 weeks old  

Australian Shepherd   Female     

 11:30 a.m. 12/18/2012                    In  My Kitchen Melbourne,AR

From reading the post on an online yard sale site, @ approximately 9:20 a.m. , to calling the owner, to calling Jordan to confirm he wanted her, to the photo in my kitchen ... less than 2 hours for HEART MELTDOWN to occur.  Bo and I got the privilege of the next 4 weeks of house training, until the date of our journey to New Smyrna Beach, to deliver her to her new Dad , Jordan.

 10:30 a.m.  1/13/2013                       Jordan's House  NSB, FL
This is Tails in her new home in New Smyrna Beach, posing for this picture. (well... not really intentionally posing ...)

 Sometime in late January of 2013 with her new sister  Sadie who is teaching her good canine manners.
Tails is happy to be living with her new dad, Jordan, and her new canine siblings, Sadie and Grub. Sadie is aggressively teaching Tails the correct canine manners, and etiquette. Tails has been a quick student ... ( avoiding the head spinning weighty knockdowns of the earliest days in her new home with Sadie and Grub )

2/3/2013  Photo courtesy of "Uncle Joe"  Grub tolerating Tails presence in his personal space

Grub is a very adorable "big" canine brother, typically tolerant of the younger annoying sibling. For that "cute" look, Grub will lay those large ears down and back for his "Jar Jar Binks" impression and win me over every time! 

Shakey Ground

It happens fast. The bond, that is. When a pet finds you, and claims your heart.

He was thin, scared, anxious, and frantically looking for his traveling mate, his litter mate, his brother. This short haired blonde pup was a sad beauty.

He came into our lives on a July, Tuesday morning in 2004, laying on the steps to my office door, but not quite sleeping or resting.  Hoping, I’d say. That the keeper of  this door would help him find the normal of his life again.

By mid afternoon, he had been conned into the office, where he fought panic, and the comfort offered.

By late afternoon, my good hearted husband reluctantly agreed to see him, and let me be the finder of a permanent home for him. But he was to remain at my office in the marina… not at our rented home just two blocks away.  (I suspect that my husband knew, once in the house, forever in the heart.)

That mostly sleepless night had me envisioning major destruction to property that I would be explaining to my boss, from a young pup who was frightened, lost, and in the chewing stage of his life. But when I turned the key in the door the next morning, I was shocked (and relieved) to discover, no damage or evidence of "pet waste" from the captive animal.

Throughout the day, coworkers who had been aware of him on the property, and now in my care, dropped by to see how we were doing. A passed gas or two during the day at very awkward moments (while a customer stood near enough to look accusingly at me) gave me cause to believe this pup hadn’t had a healthy diet in at least days if not weeks.

Late that first afternoon we had attempted to pick him up to put him in my husband’s van, and take him to our house, just to see if he could or would relax. Cornering him in the inner office, and staging an attempt to lift him, we observed the saddest thing I have ever seen an animal do. With absolutely no aggression, only fear, he leaned against the outer door frame, lowered his head toward the floor, touching only his nose, and surrendered.  I wept.

The staff meeting on Monday morning had included from security and maintenance, the report of two pups wandering the property over the previous weekend, and the call had been made to the Dog Catcher. I mentioned that I had been at my office on Sunday, and recalled seeing a small black and tan pup nearby, yipping his happy little head off at a young couple sitting on the swing, waterside. I had thought he was with them at the time.  It occurred to me that first afternoon that this blonde stranger was the traveling mate who the complaints were about, but where was the yipper? And I guessed that was what this blonde was wondering too.

A call to our friend, Scott, a veterinarian, Wednesday morning, and a trip by Bo over to Scott’s office later that day, determined Blonde pup’s health, good, approximate age, about 1 year old, and a prescription from Dr. Scott to Bo.  “Take this little fella home, Bo, and love him.”  (While signing in at the vet’s office, the girl at the desk asked Bo the dog’s name. Because the dog continued to behave quite stressed and panicky, Bo was reminded of Don Knotts in the movie “ Shakiest Gun in the West”, and proclaimed that the dog’s name was Shakey.)

Dragging the now named Shakey to work with me Thursday and Friday morning, I noticed the first block and a half he resisted frantically the leash, and the traffic had him in a mess, but as soon as we got on the marina property he began sniffing like a tracking hound.  By Friday morning for sure, I determined he could smell his little traveling partner all over the area they had been together.  My friend and coworker, Heather, suggested I try the Dog Catcher to see if they had picked up the other pup on that first day.  Brilliant idea!  A quick trip over there on our lunch break, gave Bo and I our first encounter with the little black and tan pup
I had seen that previous Sunday. He went crazy and acted all spazzy in the quarantine cage he was in when we entered the room with a worker, and when we were told he could not be freed until the next Sunday, we agreed to bring  Shakey there on Sunday morning to see if they had any recognition behavior toward each other.

With the video camera set and charged, Sunday morning we leashed up the reluctant Shakey, got him in the truck and headed for the reunion. (I was certain this was the pup I had seen, but didn’t know for sure that they were companions.)

Bo was instructed by the keeper on staff to wait with Shakey in a fenced area where I would walk the black and tan out to them. Well, Disney would be proud of this Kodak moment in a film!  These two absolutely went nuts the moment they saw each other, and when the gate was opened to the fenced area, there was licking and pawing and jumping and yipping and laughing and crying, (those last two by me mostly) and we were convinced by the matters of the heart to now be the owners of two dogs!

The vet at the pound where the black and tan had been incarcerated for the past six days, had examined and determined his health, good, and approximate age, 1 year old. Could it be? These two dogs looking so very different, including size…Shakey being almost twice as big as the other…. Be littermates?  The vet at the pound stated that it was very possible. And Dr. Scott, after meeting the black and tan stated the same. There are lots of physical features and many more character and behavior traits, which would convince one to agree.  

By the time we were back to the house, black and tan was now known as Spazz. His performance that Friday when we saw him in the quarantine cage and the reunion scene sealed it. He was and is a Spazz!!

That was 2004. This year, 2012, the “boyz” as I often refer to them, celebrate their 9^th year on this earth. Only they and God know what the first year of their lives was like. Bo and I know what the past 8 years of their lives have been.  From the Gulf coast of Florida, Charlotte Harbor and the Caloosahatchee River, to the Pacific coast of central California, Big Sur, to the Ozarks in north central Arkansas, these pups have provided laughter, and company, and some anger and frustration… but mostly unconditional love. 

It was Wednesday, May 30^th, 2012. It happens fast. Merciful euthanasia. The cancer arrived, showed itself and in less than one month it was systemic lymphoma. Again, a friend, this time, Dr.Matt, offers Bo a prescription of love for Shakey.