See is believing - Corgi has "parvovirus"

This report is written for Kitty and Bernice, 4th year, Murdoch University. Best wishes for your future career as a veterinarian.


Friday January 12, 2007


"No stools," Kitty withdrew the dry white cotton swab from the anus. This slim 4th year Murdoch University undergraduate was seeing veterinary practice for one week.

The Corgi had smelly diarrhoea 2 days after purchase from the pet shop.

"Put the cotton swab deeper into the rectum," I said. She cautiously inserted the cotton swab a bit further into the rectum. The cotton swab was a bit yellowish brown. I wanted her to practise, as that was the purpose of her seeing practice. Could she be afraid that the rectum be perforated by the cotton swab? I put the swab 2 cm into the rectum. The dark yellowish greenish brown swab was taken to be used for the parvoviral faecal test.



The teenaged owner was worried about the Corgi's health and the veterinary costs of treatment. He had phoned me as to whether he should seek treatment for his puppy with diarrhoea? I said I could not decide for him. If the puppy dies, the vet gets the blame. A complaint might be lodged with the veterinary authority and unnecessary explanations would be needed. It is best not to say anything to callers who want phone diagnosis.

Kitty had also taken a stool sample for microscopic examination. "Do you need a few drops of water to loosen the stools?" she said. I told her that I would do the microscopic examination and she would do the parvoviral test with my veterinary assistant Mark, in order not to increase waiting time.

After the test was done, Mark came to the consultation room "Parvovirus positive. 2 purplish red lines."

"Wait for me to check," I was given the Corgi the fluid therapy to prevent dehydration. However, the boy had heard him and must be fully stressed.

The parvovirus is a deadly disease and would kill the puppy. However, this puppy was imported from Australia and had 2 vaccinations. He was older, at 3 months and better protected than 2 months old.

The foul smelly stools are not always a sign of parvoviral infection although many veterinary assistants make instant diagnosis based on the smell. My nose detected that the smell in the consultation room air was not like the typical bloody and decomposing smell of parvovirus. Microscopic examination of the stools did not reveal any blood or worms.

Parvoviral infection was unlikely at this time. But the parvoviral test must be done to aid in the diagnosis of the cause of fever and acute gastroenteritis.

After treatment, I read the test kit slide. Only one deep purple line. There was not even a faint second line in the slide.

"But there were 2 lines," Mark said. I hope Kitty learnt a lesson no veterinary book or lecturer would be able to teach her. Seeing is believing. Repeat the parvoviral test if necessary.

(In the evening, Anna said that the Corgi passed solid stools. The owner had phoned several times. In all cases, no veterinary staff should talk to the owner about the condition of the dog. Singapore is becoming a litigious society. Avoid any misunderstanding by only letting the owner speak to the veterinarian.