Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Parvo Virus? How can that be?

I've asked myself this questions all day. Last night Jamie came in from his last Monday night class. What should have been an exciting event, took a turn, because I told Jamie that Gigi was not acting right. She was lethargic and periodically having dry heaves. Having been spayed last Wed, we've been shocked at the fact, that she was almost completely unphased by the whole thing. We teased that she must not have pain receptors, but were glad that she was fairing well, digging holes, hunting moles, chasing soccer balls.

Yesterday was more of the same playful banter. She came in and around 6:30 she vomited, but I thought she may have eaten something unagreeable in the yard or something. I didn't think much of it and it is completely normal for her to come in and crash. When Jamie got home at 10:30, she was shaking and had a couple more bouts of dry heaves. We even said that if she were not well by morning, we'd need to call the vet.

She had another bout in the night, but rested well and cuddled right up next to me. This morning, we called the vet and he told me to bring her in. I sent Jamie that direction to get school started for the day. He texted me and said they were checking for Parvo. I even texted back, "she was vaccinated" and then a little later he called and said she did have Parvo. I could not believe my ears. How did this happen? We had done what we were told to do to prevent this from happening and keep our pet healthy. Just last week, she was spayed at that SAME clinic??? My mind was filled with many questions, but I was so upset, crying, I called off school for the day, and felt like I had been punched in the gut.

A couple of hours later, I called and talked to the vet. He was very curt and said that he could not give me a prognosis and it was not uncommon for dogs to die within 6 hours of symptoms. How is this suppose to bring me comfort? So, I questioned him on that fact that their records online indicated that she was up to date on her vaccines and that we were never told verbally or otherwise that she needed another round (I found out she needed 3 rounds accidentally through this converesation). I suppose he felt like I was pointing a finger at them, but in reality, at this time, I just wanted ANSWERS! He said that we got a reminder card and continued to just be downright rude. I was proud for not being rude back. I did hang up and cry some more.

He called back about 5 minutes later very nice and apologetic. He explained that it was inputted incorrectly and she did indeed need 1 more round of vaccines, but it was in their computer system incorrect. Ok? And this still doesn't make me feel better, but angry. So, something 100% preventable and deadly is now effecting my puppy by a "Clerical error". I just listened and didn't say much through this conversation, because I know they were caring for my dog, and no matter what, i want her cared for without ill feelings towards me.

Of course, what happens when a woman gets angry? She cries some more! So I sat here and cried some more thinking about how all this is so stupid and could have been prevented. I feel like she picked it up when we were being responsible and had her spayed last week (another time they didn't notice her records were "off"). I'm so upset and angry.

I know it is "just" a dog. I love that dog! We all do! My Daddy died and that litter of pups was like a little ray of sunshine and blessing. This entire year has just been a big kick in the gut, but I feel like we were given those dogs for a purpose of comfort, love, companionship, and happiness during a horrible tragedy.

I'm just so upset by this vet office and how a simple error in the computer system and miscommunication has made my Dog have one of the deadliest viruses she can get. Needless to say, I will be taking my business elsewhere. More importantly, we need Gigi to pull through and come back her happy self!