Even though I went to bed grief stricken over tragedies in the lives of some of my friends, I woke up to the sound of laughter. My head just coming out of grogginess was trying to compute laughter. Where is it? Who is it? Why is it waking me up? :-) After a few seconds of thawing, I realized it was my children outside my window, and there could be only one thing they were laughing about...puppies. I leaped out of bed. Could it be possibly they were laughing about PUPPIES and not a puppy?
Oliver is the little one up front. He is not this small anymore.
Sammy is back right.
Sure enough. Little Oliver was up and about, with a little bit of pep and some happiness back in him. I ran for the rejected cottage cheese and egg from last night. He semi turned his nose up, but looked like he might think twice, so I called Sammy over and let Oliver see Sammy eating HIS breakfast. That's all it took. The kids pulled Sammy back and Oliver began eating. Hallelujah. That skinny little thing...I don't know how he could go much longer without food. Sammy kept breaking away and nosing in and Oliver did not like that one bit.
He growled at him! I've never been so happy to see an animal exhibit selfishness. We tried to give him some liver and he didn't want that. But Sammy was thrilled to eat it.
Oliver had barely raised his head since Sunday morning. Yesterday, out of desperation, I took him to the vet. I think that saved his life. They gave him a 20% chance and I actually considered having him put down. Noah and I cried. But they made him comfortable by giving him antibiotics, a shot of anti-nausea medication, and subcutaneous fluids under his skin. He was able to drink more fluids yesterday because of that and seemed in better spirits last night, but still worrisome.
I am REALLY grateful for the following Parvo puppy website:
Parvo Puppies
Ultimately, I think they are the ones who saved his life. I scanned the page the first time I saw it. I knew he needed water. But, then I saw that they were using some alternative things to save their puppies. I've been studying herbal and natural therapies for 25 years now, so I'd say 75% of the time, when anyone in my family is sick, I know exactly what to do. Doctors are a last resort in our house.
I instantly had all kinds of herbs come to mind and what to give. I made an herbal preparation from comfrey, alfalfa, peppermint, and raspberry leaf. I added some homeopathic flu and nausea remedies. And I also poured in just a little raw apple cider vinegar, and colloidal silver for anti-viral, and antibiotic properties. I put this in a water bottle with a goat nipple and had Olivia give it to him. She was amazing over two days getting him to take several cups of that fluid. I am sure much of it came back up, but Olivia was a part in saving this little puppy's life.
We could not get him to eat. And I could not take him on Monday to the vet. We just limped him through. So, after the vet visit, we were driving home from Safford and I was wondering what else we could do. And the words "essential oils" came to mind. I have limited experience with essential oils, but I thought maybe peppermint for his tummy, and there must be one for infections. I called Michelle since she knows much more about that than me, and she also recommended peppermint and maybe frankincense. My friend Kally sells essential oils in her store, and I thought I should probably pick her brain too. So, I made a u turn and headed back and came out with Spice Traders which is for infections and slippery elm tea. Thanks to Monika for that one.
Very long, detailed story later, I had Noah rub the oils on Oliver's tummy. And we are now rubbing them on Sammy for prevention. I will be making some slippery elm tea for his tummy, since Parvo makes them shed the lining and that will be soothing. I made some oatmeal with garlic and chicken and raw egg in it and just took it out to him and he gobbled several spoonfuls. The rest of course went to Sammy. Fingers crossed that he won't get Parvo. (If you have puppies, please don't come near our house. It's highly contagious and transfers easily.)
So, there is the whole story with our bout with Parvo. I'd say he is out of the woods, but we still need to watch him closely for a relapse. And if he does, I'll head right back to the vet so they can help again and get him through until he is back to his totally happy self. Oh, I'm so grateful we are not having a puppy funeral. And thank you to every one who said prayers. I know this.
"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12: 7
A final thought. I so appreciated on the Parvo website, their counsel to think positive. They said if you think your puppy will die, he will think he is going to die too. If you think he will live, he probably will. From the time I suspected Parvo, I thought he was a goner. When the vet said 20% chance, I thought maybe we should put him down. And I just heard in my head, "NO! Give him a chance." So, I changed my thought. I asked what the vet could do for him, and let them do that. And then when the thought came about the essential oils, I felt hope. And from that time on, I felt we should believe in the chance that he could be restored.
And he was. Thank you Father!!!!
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