MOUNT CARMEL - A three-month-old German Shepherd given away by its owner is doing better after a bout with a potentially fatal intestinal virus, thanks to the quick thinking of the family that saved her.
Young Rubee, who is being taken care of by Deb Davis and her family, came home Saturday from the Alpine Animal Clinic, Danville, following a week-long bout with parvovirus, a severe and occasionally life-threatening intestinal condition.
"She's back with us now," Davis said Saturday. "She's not eating as much as I would like, but she is
very lively. She is playing with the family and glad to be home and doing better."
Davis said her family's first contact with Rubee came last week when her son was at a local convenience store.
"There was a man walking around the parking lot with a dog in his van. He was asking everyone if they could take the dog, because he no longer wanted it," Davis said.
Davis said there might have been a little bit of deception in his talk.
"The gentleman told my son that he only had the dog for a few days, but we figured he had her for at least a month. She looks like a pure bred," Davis said.
The family fell in love with the dog instantly, but problems soon developed.
"On Sunday, the dog began vomiting and had diarrhea," she said. "I thought at first it was because of the change in her diet, but she just got worse, We took her to the vet on Monday."
Davis followed her instincts.
"I just wanted to do what was right for the dog, because I know if we wouldn't have taken her, the gentleman would have taken her to the pound, and they would have put her down," she said.
After considering the dog's symptoms, the vet conducted medical tests, which showed a very low white blood cell count. After being diagnosed with parvovirus, Rubee was quarantined; she was given medicine and fed intravenously.
The vet said he was able to treat the illness in time and by Wednesday, Rubee was starting to get better.
"She really made a turnaround today, eating solid food. She did not vomit or have other problems," Davis said.
The family also worried about their other dog, a one-year-old mutt named Carlee they recently adopted from the Mostly Mutts shelter.
"We bleached the whole house and the yard, so we think they are going to be OK, and become fast friends," she said.
Davis' only concern is the medical bills for Rubee, which come close to $1,000.
"I'm just glad that the story has a happy ending," Davis said.
Those wishing to help Davis with the bill can contact her at 339-5899.