by John S Willard Jr

Created on: October 08, 2007

You have a new puppy or kitty or perhaps you are a seasoned pet owner. You want the very best care and medical attention for your little people in fur coats that you would expect or demand for yourself. Do you find a Veterinarian in the phone book, rely on recommendations from friends, or visit some yourself to find the perfect doctor? Well, these are some ways, but can you be sure that the Vet you decide on has Fido's best interest at heart OR is he just interested in his bank account?

I am a breeder of AKC Yorkshire Terriers and have a burdening desire to insure my little ones are taken care of properly. I have moved all of our dogs from a vet that cost me three dead puppies from a caesarian birth and then charged me $400.00! When I called to have their records moved, they had the nerve to ask me why! DUH! A little preface before getting into the meat of this article as provided by some of our friends.

A friend of ours recently had a 6 month old Yorkie that got sick. The poor little fellow started vomiting and having diarrhea, wouldn't eat, drink water and just wanted to lay around. Our friend rushed him to the vet that normally attended him to determine what the problem was. At the vet's office, the technicians, NOT the doctor, came outside to the car to examine the dog. Now I can understand not necessarily wanting the dog inside the office if it had something contagious, but at that time, they knew nothing other that the symptoms. Our friend asked if it could be Parvo. After taking a stool sample and checking it, the technician came back out and told her that it definitely was not Parvo. The dog was taken back home with some medication for diarrhea and that was that. The symptoms persisted and she took him back to the vet the next day. This time they gave him some IV fluids because they said he was dehydrated, and sent him back home. The next morning, the dog was found dead at the back door!

Our friend immediately called the vet and told them what had happened and again asked if it could have been Parvo. Again, she was told that it definitely was not Parvo. We happen to live in a community when there is an Infectious Animal Diagnostic Center. Well, our friend had an autopsy performed on the dog and after two weeks, the results showed the dog had died from, you guessed it, PARVO!

Now this wouldn't be quiet so alarming, if it was just one instance. However, just today, one of our neighbors told us she had lost her youngest Dachshund to Parvo! And can you guess

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