Foster Pet Outreach is a local non-profit organization whose main focus is to help provide for the well being of animals in our community

March 2020 NEWSLETTER
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Puppy Madness
  This past month we have been bombarded with pups.  Miss Vira is one happy gal to be ready to see her pups go to homes.  However she is in need of a forever home too!  She has been a fantastic foster and mom to her babies.  She is very well mannered and knows lots of commands.   

We had some serious fun with the puppy yoga with some of the Cheers gang, Vira's crew, and a few more.  We are starting out March with 26 puppies.  That means our fosters are going through lots of puppy pads, puppy food, and everything else that pups need.  We thank all of our supporters that have donated towards their care. 

Puppies can be a wonderful addition to a family.  However they are a lifetime commitment.  We encourage all new puppy parents or any new parents to consider all aspects of pet ownership.  



Parvo in puppies
is unfortunately a common disease with deadly consequences, which is why it is important for anyone dealing with puppies on a regular basis to be aware of the symptoms of parvo and what to do about it.

What Is Parvo?

Parvo in puppies is caused by the canine parvovirus. This virus is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with an infected dog or by indirect contact with a contaminated object. Your puppy is exposed to the parvovirus every time he sniffs, licks, or consumes infected feces. Indirect transmission occurs when a person who has recently been exposed to an infected dog touches your puppy, or when a puppy encounters a contaminated object, like a food or water bowl, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.
Puppies ages six weeks to six months are the most susceptible to parvo. Puppies younger than six-weeks-old still retain some of their mother's antibodies, assuming that the dam received her full series of parvo vaccinations. Puppies are vaccinated against parvo at approximately 6, 8, and 12 weeks of age. They are vulnerable to the disease until they have received all three shots in their vaccination series, which means owners need to take extra precaution during this time to prevent their puppies from contracting the virus. Puppies should receive a dose of canine parvovirus vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age, regardless of how many doses they received earlier, to develop adequate protection.

A puppy with parvo is a very sick dog. The sooner you catch the early signs of the virus in puppies, the sooner you can get your dog to the vet. Since parvo is common in young puppies, you should call your vet any time your puppy is feeling under the weather, but you should also be aware of the specific symptoms of parvo in puppies:
  • Lethargy
  • Anorexia
  • Weight loss
  • Weakness
  • Dehydration
  • Depression
  • All of these symptoms are serious by themselves and could be a sign of parvo or another serious illness. You should contact your vet immediately if you suspect your puppy has parvo, and be sure to notify the vet's staff ahead of time of your suspicions and your puppy's symptoms, so that they can take the appropriate quarantine procedures to prevent your puppy from infecting other dogs.
Your vet will diagnose parvo based on clinical signs and through blood work. She may also run a test called an ELISA to search for virus antigens in your dog's feces and will perform additional diagnostic testing as needed.
There is no cure for parvo. Your vet will offer your puppy supportive care over the course of the illness, treating symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, and making sure that your puppy gets adequate nutrition.
Serious viruses like parvo weaken a puppy's immune system and lower his white blood cell count, reducing his ability to fight off secondary bacterial infections. The damage the virus does to a dog's intestinal wall increases the likelihood of a secondary infection. Your vet may put your puppy on an antibiotic medication to combat these bacterial infections and will monitor your puppy carefully for additional complications.
Vaccinations are key.  Recently FPO took in 4 puppies who unknowingly had this virus.  We were lucky that the cases were spotted and treated immediately.  While the pups are not out of the woods, they are doing better.  Last month we teamed up with Just Animals Clinic to offer vaccinations at our building.  Information is below and can be found on our website as well as theirs.
Upcoming Events

Come meet some of our pets looking for homes on Saturday, March 14th.  We will be there from 11-1pm at the Peoria store.  Please remember that we do not do same day adoptions.  To be considered, you will need to have an application on file.  Those can be found on our website.
Just Animals Vet Clinic
Saturday, March 21 we will be hosting a vaccine clinic at our building.


To Schedule:
Our App: JustAnimals vet2pet
justanimals.org
815.830.6568


Breaking News!
Just in case you did not hear the news.  Our date is set and we already have 30 booths signed up.  Missed out last year?  There is time if you act quick.  





In the past couple years we have been asked to bring our pets to several area businesses.  While we have not been able to go to all, we try hard to work with local businesses that want to support us.  If you have an idea of where we could visit this year, please reach out.  Some of our events are already in the planning stages for next spring/summer so if you have an outdoor venue, we book quickly.  Please reach out to us with your thoughts and ideas.  Our event coordinator would love to hear them!  



Congratulations to all our furry friends who were adopted this month.   We wish all our new FPO families a happy trail!  


 

PLEASE DONATE
Every donation, large or small, helps us to continue our mission.  A receipt will be sent with your tax deductible donation.  Donations can be made here or mail to FPO, 10206 W. Dubois Rd., Edwards, IL  61517
Foster Pet Outreach | 309-682-1122
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