About the Campaign

Three litters of puppies

exposed to Parvo!

So far four are sick and one has passed away.

Mike Ryan, well known rescuer in southern California, and the rescue I5 Freedom Ride had a sudden and unexpected Parvo outbreak with a litter of seven puppies they rescued. The litter has been with two other litters of puppies at adoption events, so while it is certain seven have been exposed, the number might be 16.

Parvo is a deadly virus that especially attacks young dogs. It causes outer layer of the intestines to come off, resulting in bloody diarrhea, and making it impossible for the puppy to absorb nutrients and even water. In addition the virus causes a high fever. These effects can be deadly, and the treatment is expensive and only partially successful. There is no cure. The puppy has to be supported in the hospital, and make it though the virus. Depending on whom you ask about 50-75% of puppies with treatment survive.

Already one pup, Annie, has passed away. Mike tried very hard to save her and she received excellent care at the Veterinary Emergency Center of Redlands, but passed away on Sunday, September 3rd.

Mike worked very hard with Annie, but she didn’t make it:

Another pup from Annie’s litter, Goldie, is also very sick. Two others are showing symptoms. It is believed the puppies must have somehow been exposed at an adoption event. All had received Parvo vaccinations and boosters. Since Annie became ill the Mike has been doing everything to sterilize their cages, beds, all of that. Hopefully he has managed to limit it to the four current cases.

Further, Goldie has shown some improvement from Monday, September 4th, though she is still hospitalized and on a feeding tube!

All of this has been a huge expense because of the hospitalization required, which is almost $1800 a day per dog as a baseline. Goldie has had two plasma infusions, which are almost $1000 each. It just ads up and up. Mike Ryan has been helping by putting most of the charges so far on his credit card, but the bottom line is that he and the rescue need support. All donations here are specifically for the Parvo puppies with Mike Ryan and all donations go to him and his rescue for these pups care and bills.