A three-month-old puppy has dodged the death wish of the canine parvovirus (CPV), all thanks to a novel treatment it received.
The Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA), the single-dose treatment developed by Elanco Animal Health, Inc., has been utilized by the PAWS Chicago to at least three patients since receiving the initial doses. It cuts the treatment time compared to conventional options.
The first patient to benefit from this treatment was a puppy that was “close” to being euthanized at the Chicago Animal Care & Control. The dog had tested positive for the highly contagious and potentially lethal virus. Parvovirus in shelter animals often leads to euthanasia to prevent its spread to other animals.
Upon arrival at PAWS, the dog’s condition was so dire that it could barely move. After the PAWS veterinarians placed an intravenous catheter, the puppy received the treatment via an injection directly into its vein. The puppy “quickly” recovered from its critical condition in just three days, exhibiting signs of playfulness and energy. Typically, parvo-infected dogs spend 7-14 critical days under treatment.
The team named the puppy “Mono,” short for monoclonal.
The CPMA treatment significantly reduced Mono’s recovery time and allowed the PAWS Chicago’s medical staff to attend to other animals, including another parvo-positive puppy they rescued from euthanasia just six days later.
By efficiently treating parvo-positive dogs and freeing up the medical staff’s time, PAWS Chicago can allocate its resources to other animals in need.
To date, PAWS Chicago stands as the sole city shelter to have received this parvovirus treatment.
For more information on the treatment, click here.