06/23/2026
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO WATCH, READ AND SHARE SISSY'S STORY
Within just 3 days after her arrival at LCHS, a two-year-old terrier mix named Sissy became very ill and took an alarming turn for the worse. Further diagnostics revealed that Sissy had tested positive for canine parvovirus (CPV).
π What is parvo and why was this surprising?
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious, potentially fatal viral disease that attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and dangerous dehydration. It is most commonly seen in puppies and unvaccinated young dogs. It is most commonly seen in puppies ages 6 weeks to 6 months and unvaccinated young dogs. Finding parvo in a two-year-old dog is uncommon and much harder to treat. Even with aggressive veterinary treatment, adult dogs with parvo show an average survival rate of 50-70%.
For an animal shelter, a parvo diagnosis triggers an immediate and complex response. The infected animal must be isolated right away to prevent the virus, which can survive in the environment for years, from spreading to other animals in our care. That means dedicated housing, separate from the general population, with staff following strict protocols including disposable protective equipment every time they enter the space.
π Sissy's road to recovery
Sissy's treatment was intensive and lasted over two weeks. Our medical team immediately started aggressive treatment with IV fluid therapy 24/7 and numerous medications. The IV fluid therapy helps combat the constant dehydration caused by profuse vomiting and diarrhea, as well as providing support for organ function. A regimen of IV antibiotics and several GI protectants were also started, to prevent secondary infections and protection for the gut.
Luckily, we were able to immediately administer an IV dose of Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA) - a relatively new, first-of-its-kind treatment that works by directly neutralizing the parvovirus in a dog's body. CPMA has been shown to significantly shorten recovery time and improve survival rates. This is a very expensive treatment, with costs for a single dog ranging from hundreds to over a thousand dollars depending on the animal's size and the dose required. Sissy's CPMA treatment alone was over $700; this is before accounting for hospitalization, IV supplies, medications, and the staff hours invested in daily monitoring and care.
π Why it matters
Every animal who comes through our doors at deserves a fair chance, regardless of what health challenges they have. Stories like Sissy's are a window into what shelter medicine really looks like: not just adoption photos and happy tails, but skilled, compassionate staff making difficult decisions and investing real time, expertise, and resources into animals who have no one else.
Sissy is now fully recovered and has happily joined her new forever family. She is gentle, resilient, and thankful for a home to call her own. π
