Sick puppy cured by new parvo treatment in San Diego
Editor’s note: Richard was the first at Helen Woodward Animal Center to receive this parvo treatment.
SAN DIEGO — A mortally ill puppy named Richard has been given a second chance at life after receiving a new state-of-the-art medical treatment for parvo.
According to Helen Woodward Animal Center, the 6-week-old tiny terrier-blend was diagnosed with the life-threatening canine virus upon his arrival in January.
Canine parvovirus – or parvo – is an extremely contagious and extremely deadly illness among dogs, with a 91% mortality rate in untreated cases.
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“Richard was showing signs of the dreaded canine parvovirus. He lacked any sort of energy or appetite, preferring to sleep the day away rather than play with his siblings,” said Jessica Gercke, the communications director for the animal shelter.
With Richard only weeks old and weighing just 3.86 pounds, Gercke explained that the typical parvo prognosis for such a tiny puppy is “almost certain death.” But that isn’t the case for this lucky pup.
Helen Woodward Animal Center has been waiting since April 2023 to receive the highly anticipated Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA). Gercke said the medication arrived in the nick time.
Richard became the first-ever dog to receive the treatment at Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Before the new treatment, the only way to treat dogs affected by parvo was through expensive around-the-clock-care, which involves administering antibiotics, IV fluids to combat dehydration and managing the canine’s electrolytes.
“While the traditional treatment combats the symptoms of the disease and may prevent the dog from dying, it doesn’t actually combat the virus itself,” Gercke explained. “CPMA on the other hand, is a dose of synthetic parvo antibodies that prevent the disease from ever affecting the pup’s cells. In the case of Richard, the treatment worked overnight.”
According to the animal shelter, CPMA shortens the treatment process from up to a week to only 24 hours, and is also significantly cheaper than traditional parvo treatment. The current treatment option for parvo can cost between $3,000 and $8,000, depending on how long the treatment takes, while CPMA reduces that cost to only $200 a vial.
“Richard’s success is a huge win not only for us, but the entire animal welfare community” said Dr. Siler, adoption services medical director.
This week, Dr. Siler and the medical team confirmed Richard could be made available for adoption. This miracle pup is now looking for his forever home. To adopt Richard or for more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center, go to www.animalcenter.org, call 858-756-4117 or stop by the shelter at 6461 El Apajo Rd. in Rancho Santa Fe.
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