AMC Reports More than 30 Cases of Parvo in Gillette

Have any of you seen this pup’s pic posted on Facebook?

This is Monty, as dubbed by There's No Place Like Home No Kill Rescue after the rescuer who took him in, Billy Montgomery (a Fur Kids Foundation board member), on Saturday, September 28, 2013. This poor pup was found lying in the corner of Arapahoe and Tepee streets in Gillette. His feet were cold, he was alone and clearly scared. The Montgomery’s warmed this little guy up and then took him to Animal Medical Center of Wyoming. A few hours later, he was gone.

From what, you ask? Parvo. A nasty virus we wrote about in May, Protect Your Dog from Parvovirus.

Just today, the Foundation saw another item posted on Facebook, but this time by the City of Gillette:

Animal Medical Center called our Animal Shelter yesterday and said that they have had about 30 cases of Parvo in the last three weeks. Please get your dog vaccinated for Parvo.

Indeed.

Fur Kids Foundation spoke with Darren Lynde, DVM, today and he reports that since AMC opened today, October 1, they have four more cases of Parvo on the books. Dr. Lynde is very concerned about this disease and wanted to stress that anyone who is out and about with their dogs to be very careful—especially puppies or those that have not yet had their Parvo vaccination. If you have a puppy, Dr. Lynde cautions you on taking your pet to any park until all of their shots have been given. And, if you are walking in parks, make sure to watch what you carry back inside on your shoes.

According to the ASPCA Pet Care Parvovirus section:

Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal or object that comes in contact with an infected dog's feces. Highly resistant, the virus can live in the environment for months, and may survive on inanimate objects such as food bowls, shoes, clothes, carpet and floors. It is common for an unvaccinated dog to contract parvovirus from the streets, especially in areas where there are many dogs.

For those who attend the Foundation's Yappy Hour Dog Walks, we too caution you. If your pet has not been vaccinated, or is a puppy with out all it's vaccinations, please stay home.

So, how much does a Parvo vaccination cost?
At AMC, a Parvo vaccination runs a pet owner:

• First time (mostly puppies): $21.96 
• Adult (yearly vaccination): $28.88
  

At Thunder Basin Vet Clinic, a Parvo vaccination runs a pet owner:

• $27.25 for a one-year shot
  
• 81.75 for a three-year shot

If you are visiting AMC to get your pooch vaccinated, it will run you an additional $27.50 for the examination with the vet if your pet only needs the vaccination. If your pet is sick, it will be $50 for the examination. If you're visiting Thunder Basin, the exam will run you $28. Dr. Lynde, with AMC, mentioned that if you just need to purchase a yearly vaccination, and can administer it to your pet, you would only have to pay for the vaccination.

Which is exactly what Betsy Nowack of There's No Place Like Home No Kill Rescue is offering to people. Because the rescue received some donations to take care of Monty, before he passed, she has opted to purchase the vaccinations and give them to people who need them for free. Betsy will show the pet owners how to administer the vaccination themselves. She does, however, encourage everyone to take their pets in for their yearly check ups and vaccinations.

Note: Tax is not factored in with these prices.

How much does it cost to treat Parvo?
The costs of treating a dog with Parvo can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the stage of the virus in the pet and the health of your pet. Get your pup vaccinated.