Vet called this morning and said that the pup is looking worse. He did a blood test and his white blood count and protein levels were low, so he is doing a plasma transfusion.

Is there no hope for this pup? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Matt, You're doing everything possible for your pup. My prayers are with you.

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Vet called this morning and said that the pup is looking worse. He did a blood test and his white blood count and protein levels were low, so he is doing a plasma transfusion....Is there no hope for this pup? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Did you ask the vet who called if there was hope? And if you should be getting more advanced tests? Does he have even a tentative disgnosis? Or does he believe that the puppy cannot recover at this point? He can answer these questions; we cannot. I feel so sad and sorry for you; remember that you have never given up or withheld medical care. All we can do is our best, and you are doing that.

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...he is doing a plasma transfusion...

Is this the equivelent of a human blood transfusion?

I'm not sure if this vet is trying to spare your feelings, but
at this point, that is mute. Ask him for his professional opinion
on your pups odds.

Does he have a %50 chance, %20 chance, %2 chance?

I'm praying RIGHT NOW!!!

I sincerely hope things work out.. I've been hanging on every word of this thread, hoping for good news.

Do they even have a clue what's going on? Have you asked the vet for his speculations, WHY they're approaching this way as opposed to other ways? I hate to be the one to think of it, but if the worst happens, would you consider letting them examine the pup to figure out what happened? This is really bad, especially as it seems idiopathic at this point.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Is the dog in the care of the 1st vet or is the pup still with the hospital clinic? Is this the first blood test?

I'm wondering, since the pup so recently had his parvo vaccination, IS IT *Possible* what is happening to him is the FINE PRINT of things that can go wrong (IE: side effects?) of the vaccination (s)?

Does your vet offer a listing of all the possible side effects/complications the parvo vaccination can cause?

This may be a far cry, but human prescriptions/vaccinations come with those description sheets. MAYbe the sheet for the vaccination could lend some insight to his condition.

Just searching/reaching for possiblities, offering you questions I would ask if I were in your shoes.

My hopes and prayers, along with the others here, are with you. I know you are doing all you can and your efforts are sincere.

http://www.nwlabs.co.uk/testinterpindx.html

I found this link in my search on this forum (now in my favorites).
The index was helpful to me interpreting, discussing, and making decisions about my dog's health issues.

he's willing to do a plasma transfusion but not do the proper x-ray screening? how could things deteriorate to this point without x-rays? i don't get it.

did you call stuart animal hospital? what do they recommend? do they have a name of a vet near you?

did you ask about the metronidazole?

and when you say they did a blood test, what exactly did they test? did they ever do a full blood panel?

reading this thread is very frustrating. many of us have gone through this ourselves, matthew, and know exactly how you feel.

my experience has been that some vets are just more on top of it than others. you aren't giving us a whole lot of info here, but if, at this point, the vet currently in charge hasn't done an appropriate xray screening and full blood panel, i would be doing all i could to find a competent vet, pronto, because, based on all you have reported here, if those screenings were not done, this vet is not competent.

sorry to sound harsh, but that is where it stands.

Matthew, check your PM.

Any news?

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http://www.nwlabs.co.uk/testinterpindx.html

I found this link in my search on this forum (now in my favorites).
The index was helpful to me interpreting, discussing, and making decisions about my dog's health issues.

And here is a little more info about Parvo's possible affacts even after the worst of the bloody diarrhea stops, including some treatments:

QUOTE from http://www.global.net.au/~aegis/parvo.htm

QUOTE: Precipitous drops in white blood cell (WBC) counts are common and relate directly to the prognosis and outcome of the infection. Ominous drops in white blood cells are attributed to overwhelming degradation of WBCs and the direct depressive viral effect on WBC production in the bone marrow.

The incidence of the disease is highest in young dogs and tends to start some time after the puppy has lost its maternal protection passed on at birth with the first milk (colostrum). Any age can be infected but, most dogs are infected between the ages of 2-6 months  when maternal antibody decreases below a protective level in the puppy. Signs of the disease usually are mild to nonexistent. However, a full blown case of parvovirus can easily be fatal.

Generally, a diagnosis is made on the signs of the disease and falling white blood cell counts. Good rapid diagnostic tests are also available at veterinary clinics. Additionally, the virus can be found in the faeces by commercial labs using electron microscopy.

Treatment for the disease is primarily supportive although recently immunotherapy has become important. Historically, dogs were supported by aggressive intravenous fluid therapy to combat hydration and antibiotics given to reduce secondary bacterial infection. Food is withheld until vomiting has ceased. Many veterinarians employ antiemetics to lessen the signs and aid in the control of dehydration. Blood transfusions have been employed to increase the level of globulins, red blood cells and serum protein being lost via the bowels bloody diarrhoea. Most recently, antitoxins and anti-parvo serum are showing results. With hospitalisation and vigorous support some young pups may survive severe cases of parvo virus.  Early detection and aggressive therapy are the key to success. END QUOTE