Parvo Treatment Options

You have four options if your dog has Parvo, the advantages and disadvantages of which are fully discussed below:

Euthanise your dog.
Do nothing.
Take your dog to the vet's (or animal hospital).
Treat your dog at home, yourself.
Euthanise Your Dog

This option is basically killing your dog before you give him a chance to get better, and you will therefore not be surprised to hear that we do not recommend this option - ever.

The only advantage to this option is that it does put your dog out of its misery, and we do appreciate that it is very difficult to see your beloved pet in pain and in such a sorry state, and understand why people might wish to consider this option.

The biggest disadvantage of this option is, of course, that you are giving your dog a zero chance of survival - even if he may have made a complete 180 turnaround with the appropriate treatment, you are denying him this opportunity.

Remember too that this is not a zero-cost option - your vet will most likely charge you to put your dog to sleep (our customers have told us that fees from $300 USD to $500 USD are not uncommon, although it may cost less than this, of course).

On top of that, there may also be costs associated with the disposal of your dog - cremation is often recommended, as a way to kill the virus that will still be alive in your dog's body.

You need to be aware that many vets will recommend this option if you can't (or won't) pay their often exorbitant fees, or if there is blood in the diarrhea / stools.

One vet we came across said that 75% of his clients chose to kill their dogs when they couldn't pay his bills, and yet a large proportion of those dogs may well have lived if treated using safe, herbal products.

You should also note that blood in the stools is definitely not a sign that your dog is going to die no matter what you do - most of the dogs we have helped treat (over 3,500 cases at the time of writing) have gone through this bloody diarrhea phase, and yet we have been able to save the vast majority of them.

Do Nothing

This option is a sort of "let's see what happens and hope for the best" approach, and, needless to say, we don't recommend this option either.

It is potentially the lowest cost option, as you're effectively not paying for any treatment at all.

First and foremost, you need to know that 80% of dogs that go untreated will die within four to five days.

The bad news is that these statistics relate to the older 2a and 2b strains of Parvo, which are still out there and infecting dogs; the latest 2c strain is even more aggressive, with some dogs dying in as little as five hours after symptoms first appear.

To give you an example, we had a customer in the state of Washington whose dog showed the very first symptoms on a Sunday morning, and by later that same afternoon, it was already dead.

Should your dog not make it, which is highly likely, then you will be faced with the costs and/or effort of disposing of him (in a safe and responsible manner).

You shouldn't underestimate the emotional trauma of simply sitting there and doing nothing while your previously healthy dog withers away and dies, in great pain, before your very eyes.

You wouldn't do this with your children (we hope), so why would you put your family pet through it either?

Take Your Dog To The Vet's

This is, of course, the most popular course of action, because animal owners are trained to do this, just as most humans' first reaction when they get sick is to go to see a traditionally-trained doctor.

Veterinary care can be the best option if you have the disposable income to pay their bills, or if you are unable to stay home for several days to take care of your sick dog.

From speaking to our many hundreds of customers, most vets will quote you anywhere from $500 USD to over $12,000 USD to treat a dog that has Parvo, and that cost is for each sick dog - where an entire litter is infected (and we see this happen all too frequently), these costs may be multiplied many times over.

Even a simple Parvo test and a vaccine cost one of our customers $250 (and although the test came back negative, the dog did actually have Parvo - and was successfully treated at home using safe, chemical-free products and a lot of TLC).

Secondly, and again based on what our customers are telling us, most vets will only offer you a 50% chance that your dog will survive. A few vets will go as high as 80%, with some going as low as 20%, and one vet we know of said that he had never managed to save a dog that had Parvo.

If you leave your dog at the vet's (or animal hospital) overnight, or for several days, then it will be a very stressful situation: he may be left alone for many hours at a time, he may be surrounded by other sick animals, and he will be in a strange environment with strange people,

All of this stress will increase the time it takes him to recover from the Parvo, if indeed he does, and it may hasten his death.

It will also be more stressful for you, as you'll be constantly worrying about how he's doing, and you may also be faced with frequent trips to the vet's office to see how he is. Given that you'll be worried, with your mind on other things, your chance of having some form of accident will also be increased as a result.

Many of the vets we've heard about, and the procedures they use, do not appear to be up-to-date with the Parvo virus:

The vaccines they still insist on using are becoming increasingly ineffective against the 2c strain, which is why we are seeing more and more fully-vaccinated dogs, including both puppies and adults (as old as 14) still getting Parvo.
The Parvo tests they do in the clinic, which use stool samples, can generate false-negatives in the case of the 2c strain, which is dangerous as you then think your dog is OK when in fact he's not, and all you're doing is wasting valuable time.
They will often give Parvo shots / booster shots to dogs that have been exposed to the virus (i.e. the virus is in their system but they're not showing symptoms yet), or even to dogs that do exhibit symptoms, which is about the worst thing you can do to a dog that has Parvo - it can kill a dog in as little as five hours. All the Parvo shot does is to send in more troops to join the Parvo army, as well as weakening, or even eliminating, your puppy's already-compromised immune system.
The treatment protocols they use are still largely based on the older 2a and 2b strains, which are, in most cases, insufficient to deal with the 2c strain. Whereas IV fluids and antibiotics used to work in many situations, these are nowhere near enough now. Many vets may not give your dog any anti-nausea or anti-vomiting medication (and if they do, it will, of course, be chemical-based), and almost none of them address the hypoglycemia that most Parvo puppies suffer from, and which is, in our experience, a huge killer of sick dogs.
Some vets simply refuse to treat dogs that have Parvo (e.g. because it requires a lot of additional effort, in terms of clean-up, for example, they may need to pay somebody to stay with the dogs overnight, or because of the risk of contaminating other dogs that are currently healthy - we've had at least two customers whose dog caught Parvo at the vet's).

Some vets are not as caring as you might expect them to be, and can take a very callous attitude. For example, we've had a customer who took their sick dog to the vet's, and were not told that it had died until two days afterwards.

As stated above, some vets are all too eager to recommend euthanasia, and because many people trust their vet (as they trust anybody in a position of assumed authority), they agree, without stopping to ask or find out if there are other treatment options that are more effective or more affordable. (And because most vets know nothing about treating your dog at home using safe, herbal products, all they can recommend is murdering your dog, or euthanasia as they like to call it.)

Treat Your Dog At Home, Yourself

The fourth option, and the one we would always recommend to begin with, is to administer a set of safe, herbal products that are designed to help treat the Parvo virus and its accompanying symptoms at home.

The products you would need, which is based not only on our own extensive experience but also on the manufacturer's minimum requirements, are as follows:

Parvaid, which is designed to alleviate vomiting and diarrhea, repair the damage done by the Parvo virus, and stimulate the dog's appetite.
Vibactra Plus, which is both a natural antibiotic and an anti-parasitic. As an antibiotic, it will kill secondary infections (in the same way that prescription antibiotics will, except being chemical-free, there are no side-effects), and according to the manufacturer, the herbs it contains are proven to kill viruses. As an anti-parasitic, it will get rid of most common parasites (e.g. Coccidia, Giardia), but not heartworms (there is a separate product for that, called HWF, or HeartWorm Free), in a much gentler way than the harsh chemicals in traditional dewormers such as Panacur.
Life Cell Support, which is both an immune system booster - required as the Parvo virus attack the dog's immune system - and a detox agent, helping to eliminate junk from the dog's body.
Adizone, which was originally designed to alleviate the pain felt by older dogs who suffer from joint pain and arthritis, but because this product is helpful in reducing inflammation of any kind, as well as the pain this causes, it turns out that it's also very useful when treating dogs that have Parvo, as this virus now causes intestinal inflammation too.
Pet's Pain Formula, which will reduce the fever that many Parvo dogs have, and relieve the pain that all dogs with Parvo suffer from - the virus basically shreds their intestines, so you probably don't need us to tell you how painful that must be.
The first of these products, Parvaid, was launched in 1997, and there have been no reported side-effects in all that time.

In fact, they are all very safe products, when used correctly, and have a very high success rate, especially when used in conjunction with other vital pre-treatment home remedies.

A success rate of 90% is achievable, provided that people have the right attitude, a large amount of determination, the physical stamina to keep to the aggressive dosage schedule, and the ability and willingness to follow the instructions to the letter.

Almost as importantly, to many people, is the cost - you can treat a dog of any weight, from a Chihuahua puppy to an adult Italian Mastiff, for $200 USD or less (plus the cost of shipping, if you order online). Depending on the size of your dogs, as the dosage is based on their weight, you may even be able to treat multiple dogs for less than $140 USD.

Because you will be treating your dog at home, both he and you will feel less stressed, and it's been proven that reduced stress does increase the chance of recovery, and in a faster time too.

When buying these products, you do need to make sure that you can get expert help and support whenever you need it, since although home treatment can be very effective, every dog is different and adjustments to the standard treatment protocols can be required. Treating your dog at home can be a bit overwhelming, you may feel on your own, so having somebody who can answer your questions and provide moral support is crucial.

The one big downside to home treatment is that you will need to administer something to your sick dog every single hour, day and night, for several days, both before you begin using the herbal products (i.e. the pre-treatment phase), and for two days once you start the main treatment phase.

Needless to say, this is very tiring, and if you are by yourself, can turn you into a zombie after several days of this. All we can say is that the rewards of seeing your sick dog getting better, and knowing that it was you that did it, more than makes up for the lack of rest - after all, you can catch up on your sleep later, when your dog's recovered.

How to Do a Perfect Golden Retriever Kennel?

Dog kennels are fenced in areas in order to keep one's pet dogs safely inside it. It could be just one unit or a part of a bigger group of dog houses like those found in breeding and boarding facilities. If one wishes to know how to do a perfect golden retriever kennels, one should first decide on the size. It should be of the largest size that one has room for. One's golden retriever should have a longer run and it should be wide enough to promote some exercise which is why one should measure one's dog and provide a run that would be nearly 5 times as long as its length. Space is a very important role especially if one intends putting in a couple or more dogs in the kennel at the same time.

One will have to ensure that the dog is provided with fresh water all the time. One could make use of caribeaners or spring latches in order to attach buckets of stainless steel to the fencing so that one's pet does not spill the containers. Before you decide how to do a perfect golden retriever kennels you will have to decide where you are going to place it as this aspect is equally important as the type of kennel you will be building. The kennel has to be placed in an area that has good drainage. The area should have as much natural shade as is possible. One should avoid placing the kennel close to the property line of one's neighbor because the smells and the barking might not be appreciated. One should place the kennel in such a way that it can be viewed from the house easily in case one's dog runs into trouble. How to do a perfect golden retriever kennels will allow one to customize the kennel for one's dog. One will also have to consider the extremes of the weather in one's area. Materials of different types could be used for any kind of design ideas. One will have to build the canal after the needs of one's pet. If one lives in an area that has harsh weather, one's pet will need an insulated shelter. Dogs that are small would require less room as compared to big ones. Big dogs such as Labrador will require fencing that is strong because they tend to be hard on the environment. One has to think of sanitation before one starts the construction. Kennels which are hosed with proper ventilation and drainage lead to healthy dogs. One could take a look at other kennels in order to get ideas on what will work for oneself as well as one's dogs. Ready-made kennels are available at most home improvement or pet stores. This results in less time for installation.

How to do a perfect golden retriever kennels helps one to customize the portion of the shelter of one's kennel. If one's dog digs or suffers from separation anxiety, a fence will have to be built according to his behavior. The kennel should be made of materials of high-quality like wood that is weather treated so that it will resist nature and will be durable.

What You Should Know About Grooming Your Golden Retriever

What you should know about grooming your golden retriever is that it can be cumbersome. Grooming is a continuous process. Many people are lucky if they are able to hire a service in order to groom their pets. But, a majority of people do the grooming themselves. There are certain ways that one could follow in order to groom one's golden retriever easily. One will have to stick to a cycle of grooming. It is advisable to repeat the cycle once or twice in a week. One should keep in mind that one cannot take one's duty as the owner of the dog lightly. One has to follow a regular routine in order to groom one's dog. Fortunately, the process does not take more than 30 minutes at a time.

What you should know about grooming your Golden retriever is that you could start brushing it in order to ensure that you are reducing its shedding. Golden retrievers are a breed of double coated dogs which is why brushing is important. The double coat has the function of insulating and protecting the dog all the year round. The undercoat provides protection during winter but it is shed during the months that are warm which is why one will notice that a lot of the fur is shed at that time. What you know about grooming your Golden retriever is that regular brushing is the answer to the problem of shedding especially if one uses a bristle brush as well as a rake for the undercoat. There is very less chance of one's dog not loving this. On the contrary, it will love one for it. Usually Golden retrievers love the feel that a good brush gives them. They will happily sit idle often and give one a chance to brush them properly. One should keep in mind to use the brush in the downward direction and one has to do it as gently as possible so that one does not end up pulling out any hair in the course of the brushing. What you should know about grooming your Golden retriever is that regular baths have to be given to them and especially so, in conditions of warm weather. One could give one's golden retriever a wash any number of times because the skin of the canine will not be damaged in any way. One has to make use of a good-quality shampoo. One could have a little trouble making one's dog sit still because some dogs do not like to take baths.

After the dog is given a nice bath, one should not forget to inspect its nails. If the nails are long they have to be clipped regularly because they could be a source of irritation to the dog as well as dangerous for anyone who might step on them unknowingly. If the nails of the dogs are trimmed regularly it ensures that the shape of its foot is intact and splaying will also not occur. If one is lucky, one will be able to see the nails quite clearly. One could make use of a great pair of clippers for the nails but one should see to it that one does not cut too closely or else it could result in bleeding. This should be done every week.

How to Choose the Ideal Dog For Your Lifestyle

If you have decided to get one, then it is now time to decide the kind of pooch that you want. There iIf you are considering having a dog for yourself, you must be aware that this is a very important decision. To begin with, you must make sure that you are prepared for a pet and that you are aware of the cost of owning it.s a number of factors to consider in choosing the dog that would fit your wants, needs and your lifestyle. Just never forget that having a pet entails commitment and responsibility. Looks should be the last thing you think about so do not predetermine which breed you want without considering all of the following traits very carefully.

Dog Size

You may have a little dog in your mind or you might prefer having those giant breeds. If you can't choose, then maybe a medium-sized one is a fine choice.

Keep in mind that tiny dogs have a tendency of being vulnerable and delicate. Being mishandled or stepped on can cause serious harm. Small dogs may also be more susceptible to colder atmospheres, thus, requiring you to provide them more warmth.

Large animals call for wider spaces in order to be able to move around. They also require more exercise. Another important thing to consider is expense. The larger your dog is, the more costly stuffs like pet supplies, dog food and medical treatments become.

Level of Activity

Some dogs tend to be more energetic than others. A dog's level of activity is frequently determined on its breed. All dogs need regular exercise. If you are aware that you can't commit yourself to do activities that require too much energy, then you might as well do with a lower-energy dog. Many problems on dog behavior usually result from excess energy. So, be prepared to fine-tune the amount of attention and exercise you give your dog if needed.

Maintenance Needs (Physical)

The appearance of your dog may have much to contribute to his needs for maintenance. Basic grooming is essential for all dogs, but certain kinds need more of it based on their hair coat type. Some dogs may require more advanced regular grooming and some may need additional cleaning up. In addition, some types of dogs may do much drooling; thus, they tend to be messier.

Age

Puppies call for the utmost amount of attention and training, particularly during its first 6 months. Adult dogs may be a perfect choice if you desire to obtain a better idea of your dog's attitude, true energy level and temperament. However, having adult dogs doesn't ensure that it already has proper training, so expect some devoted training at the start. A senior dog may make a great companion if you want lower-energy dogs. However, they may tend to require more special attention since these dogs are the ones that are more prone to health problems which may cost you money and extra time.

Rid Fleas the Affordable and Easy Way

I have been a cat or dog owner since a very young age, so I've seen my fair share of fleas. A few months ago we introduced a months old Chihuahua pup to our home, which already had two dogs in it. Latte, the new pup, obviously brought the blood sucking baggage along because our two dogs now have them. So how does one rid fleas?

You may be tempted to rush out to your veterinarian for some prescribed repellant. Or, if you're one of the many misinformed, you scrambled to your local Walmart for an over-the-counter fix. How many of you know that you can't really rely on a retail store to help you rid fleas? I could remember years ago, like 12 or so, when those green shampoos actually did work! I used them so often that I even got used to, and began to like the smell of the Pyrethrin. This is the main ingredient found in most insect repellant. Derived from the Pyrethrum plant, this chemical is considered to be eco-friendly and non-toxic(to an extent). Like all things, an over dosage can be just that...and over dose, and lead to illness or even death.

Its considered to be so effective, that when I was in the Army our camouflage uniforms had to be treated with them prior to getting deployed to nations ridden by Malaria. Sounds a little scary if you ask me, particularly to those pet owners that pamper their little ones. Well if those retail remedies just aren't enough for your needs to rid fleas, one option you should try is garlic. Like in the vampire movies of the 1950's and 60's, garlic can be used to thwart off attacks from these microscopic blood suckers. Garlic, along with another popular member of the Alliaceae family, onion, can also be used to rid fleas from your pet. Considered pungent by most, these two vegetables are extremely beneficial not only for culinary purposes, but for medicinal uses.

Both contain a powerful chemical called Allicin, which is actually anti-fungal, anti-cancer, and has antibiotic characteristics. The Allicin attacks the parasite's nervous system, rendering it paralyzed. What we like to do is keep a bottle of minced garlic in our refrigerator. And everytime we treat our dogs to what we call a cocktail(a mixture of dry and canned food), we make sure to sprinkle some on top. Our Boxer has no problem with eating raw garlic. For our picky adult Chihuahua, however, we mix it all in with the cocktail. This way if he wants the meat chunks he has no choice but to ingest the garlic. This method takes a little time for the Allicin to accumulate in their bloodstreams. Mister flea, I wish you would!

For a more direct and hasty method, get yourself an actual clove and cut it. After a good squeeze, rub the cut clove all over your pet. Don't be shy. Rub its belly, rub in its armpits, and when you're done simply toss it in the pet's sleeping area. Speaking of sleeping area, we recommend investing in some moth balls from your local dollar store. Camphor, the main ingredient in those balls, is also a good way to rid fleas. They cannot stand the odor! Of course, you have to be careful to not allow your dog to consume the moth balls. Find a jar, not quite a Mason, but a Gerber food jar and poke some holes in the lid. Eventually the moth balls will evaporate, but its a two for one as it deodorizes the pet's area.

Lastly, try using bedding that's sold for Guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, etc. Note: the bedding has to be pre-treated with Cedar. If you keep your dogs in a crate, give them a layer of it. After a few days of sleeping on the Cedar bedding the fleas will get fed up and flee! Get it? Ok, ok, there's nothing funny about microscopic parasites in your home, but it could be worse. You could have ticks, bed bugs, leeches, or Vampires themselves hiding out in your attic. We hope that we were of assistance to you and your pet. Keep in mind, that these remedies are all conditional. Of course you can't try these methods and expect them to work when you live next door to an irresponsible dog owner. In order to rid fleas you have to limit the possibilities of them returning.

How to Choose a Golden Retriever Breeder

A Golden Retriever breeder will exhibit a certain affinity towards the breed and will usually dedicate themselves to the proliferation of this type of canine. The goals of breeding are usually to enhance and improve the overall life of the breed by selecting certain characteristics and genes to be passed along in a controlled environment.

An educated Golden Retriever breeder will have extensive knowledge regarding the breed's history as well as any known health anomalies that are specific to the breed. A good breeder will most likely do it as a hobby as opposed to a business due to the extreme care and attention they pay to the animals. After all, it is about the love of the Golden Retriever rather than the lust for money. In addition, a good breeder will be show concern and interest for the animal long after the sale. Generally, you will be able to contact them with any questions or problems that arise after you bring the puppy home. Be sure that your personalities mesh well as this could be an ongoing relationship.

It is important to visit the breeder's premises if you're looking to adopt and purchase a Golden Retriever. Be sure to evaluate the living conditions of the animals while you're there. In some cases a breeder may deny you access altogether - this is a telltale sign of improper breeding and conditions and you should not do business with a breeder like this. A puppy mill, for example, will not want you to see the horrible conditions they keep their puppies in. Furthermore, you will not want to encourage the abuse and awful conditions puppy mills have.

When you are granted access to the premises, however, you'll want to see where the dogs sleep, what they eat, and if all the proper living conditions are met. The best breeders will keep the puppies indoors, whether it's in their living quarters or in a separate structure. A good breeder, who is worth buying from, will show obvious concern and interest in you. They will want to know where the puppy will live and will often require you divulge this information at length.

Always be sure to look at the overall health of the puppies when you are visiting a breeder and her pups. Be sure that they are all healthy looking and that not a single one looks ill. A good breeder will address any problems regarding illness with a trained veterinarian instead of letting it remain sick. Bottom line is to trust your instinct with the breeder and really feel if you can trust the individual.

Ultimately, finding a good Golden Retriever breeder will inevitably turn up a few bad apples. Just be patient and take your time looking at the puppies. A good breeder will never pressure you to buy but will encourage you to think it through. After all, a dog is a lifetime commitment that shouldn't be taken lightly by you or the breeder.

The Responsibility of Bringing Home a New Puppy

So, you want a puppy! That's a wonderful idea, and a new puppy (or fully grown adult dog) can be a perfect addition to a new household.

Keep in mind though, that dogs are a handful, and they require a lot of attention. These needs don't go away when they grow up, or if they're already grown up when you get them, like what happens with kids. I'm not saying kids don't still need attention when they're grown, I'm just pointing out that the puppy won't start paying its own medical bills when it grows up, which is what most kids have to do, especially once they're out of their parent's house. On the other hand, a puppy won't move away, like most kids do, so there's an upside.

To the end that many people don't consider just how much work a puppy is, some of those responsibilities are listed here, at the risk of you deciding you don't want a puppy after all.

Deciding on a breed is something that many people don't take into account when they are on a search for a dog. In fact, a lot of people decide they want a dog, and then look at how each breed looks physically to decide which breed they want. Looks is an okay thing to look at, but it should be secondary to breed temperament and activity level decisions. A high-activity dog in an apartment complex isn't necessarily a good idea.

Puppies (or older dogs) have is the adoption fee, or the cost from the breeder of a pure-bred litter. That, to most people, is a no-brainer. There is also a cost if you find a puppy on the street, though. The very first of those costs is immediately taking the found dog to a vet to check them over, and make sure they don't have a microchip. Microchips are very common now, so a dog with no collar can still have a registered owner that can be found.

Once you buy or adopt them, you have to buy all of the miscellaneous supplies that goes with a dog - leash, collar, food bowl, water bowl, treats, food, toys, crate (if preferred), shampoo for baths, dog waste bags for walks, portable water bowls for long walks or trips around the city, and any other miscellaneous stuff that the puppy needs.

The next point is setting your puppy up for medical care. Many veterinary practices offer monthly plans that include vaccinations, rabies, and general checkups. Monthly plans often also have discounts on surgeries (such as spaying or neutering), medical tests, and prescriptions. Other offices do it on a visit-by-visit basis. You need all of those things mentioned above, whether you're on a monthly plan or a visit-by-visit plan.

Training is also an important part of getting a new puppy. If the puppy is little and really cute when it does something dangerous (such as biting) and you let them get away with it, it won't be little and cute when it grows up to be a 60lb monster that bites people. This doesn't always happen if you don't train your dog, but it could. Training is essential.

Training is usually thought of as being things like "sit", "stay", "down", "come", etc, so house training will be put down here in this section. House training is important, and can be a big responsibility if you happen to find a puppy who's resistant to the whole idea.

Puppies cannot hold it for more than a few hours, especially when they're really young. They also need a lot of stimulation, especially if they're the only dog in the house. This means that you have to find the time to be home with them (and play with them when you are home) a frequent intervals. It is very important for their development to have a lot of human contact, a lot of walks, and (after they are vaccinated) to be around other people, kids, dogs, and small mammals.

Dogs are amazing animals, and they are a wonderful addition to many houses and families. However, many people should (and don't) consider their needs when a dog is brought into a new home, whether puppy or adult. Take the information above as a suggestion when considering bringing a new dog into the house. If all of the above are done well, you will have a great new member of your family. Just keep in mind that it's a lot of work.

=> Morgan Clemens currently owns and runs "The Mutt Squad, LLC", a business that provides pet sitting, dog walking, and dog socialization services to Phoenix, AZ, and it's surrounding cities.

Her passion is and always has been the proper treatment of all animals, both wild and domestic. According to her, this proper treatment includes both mental and physical health, and is a necessary part of owning or interacting with any animal.