Bow Valley Community Raises $10K in 24 Hours to Save Parvo-Stricken Puppies

When the first puppy stopped eating, the team at Heart Mountain Rescue feared the worst.

The nearly three month old litter of seven, six boys and one girl, mixed breed puppies had arrived at Heart Mountain Rescue in Exshaw after being transferred from a rescue in Saskatchewan, where they were found without their mother.

The loss of appetite was followed by diarrhea and lethargy. Testing confirmed the puppies were suffering from parvovirus.

Within weeks, the story would turn from heartbreak to resilience as the community rallied behind the rural rescue, raising around $10,000 to help cover the roughly $20,000 veterinary bill, care that ultimately allowed six of the seven puppies to survive a virus that often proves fatal if left untreated.

Canine parvovirus (parvo) is a highly contagious disease that attacks quickly multiplying cells, particularly in the intestines of puppies and unvaccinated dogs, and is preventable through vaccination and strict hygiene.

“It attacks rapidly dividing cells, especially in the intestines and bone marrow, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, immune suppression, and severe dehydration,” said Briana MacLeod, founder and executive director of Heart Mountain Rescue.

Dogs can contract the virus by ingesting microscopic traces from contaminated feces, soil, surfaces or objects such as food bowls.

Rescue environments, where vaccination histories are often unknown, are particularly vulnerable to the cultivation and spread of this virus.

“Parvo is unfortunately fairly common in rescue settings, especially where unvaccinated puppies are frequently admitted. Because rescues often take in dogs with unknown vaccination histories,and many puppies haven’t completed their vaccine series, there is a higher risk of exposure and outbreaks,” said MacLeod.

While rescues can significantly reduce the spread through immediate vaccination at intake and strict quarantine protocols, Heart Mountain Rescue still sees parvo two to three times a year and plans financially for several cases, as treatment can cost between $1,500 and more than $5,000 per puppy.

Upon confirmation of illness, the puppies were rushed to Petzoic, a veterinary hospital in Tsuut’ina, the first in Alberta and one of only four clinics in Canada to offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment designed to improve oxygen delivery and, in this case, support the recovery of damaged intestinal tissue.

The litter’s treatment included IV fluids to combat dehydration, anti-nausea medication, antibiotics to prevent sepsis, pain management and, for the most critical puppies, feeding tubes, blood transfusions and time inside the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Given the intensive care provided, the survival rate was high, as is typically the case when puppies receive prompt treatment for parvo.

“With prompt treatment, survival rates are 80–90% or higher, especially when care begins early,” said MacLeod. “Without treatment, mortality can reach 50–90%, particularly in young puppies.”

Despite intensive treatment efforts, the only female puppy in the litter did not survive, passing away due to complications from the virus.

“In this case, one of the puppies who was believed to have the most compromised immune system initially showed encouraging signs of improvement and had begun eating again,” said MacLeod. “However, she later developed a serious complication in which a portion of her intestines telescoped into itself, which can occur in severe gastrointestinal illness like parvo. Despite medical intervention, the complication proved fatal.”

On Feb. 6, Bow Valley Insider shared Heart Mountain Rescue’s plea for support. The call was met with an overwhelming response from the community, raising $8,854 in just 24 hours.

With additional support through CanadaHelps, Instagram fundraisers and direct donations, Heart Mountain Rescue ultimately raised approximately $10,000 for the puppies’ medical care. The donations covered roughly half of the total veterinary bill, estimated at around $20,000.

“The generous donations were applied directly to the puppies’ veterinary care at Petzoic, covering approximately half of the total treatment costs. The remaining balance was managed by our rescue, ensuring that each puppy received the full scope of life-saving care they needed,” said MacLeod.

The volunteer-run shelter expressed gratitude for the community’s response.

“We are so grateful that six of the seven puppies have fully recovered after surviving parvo,” said MacLeod. “These puppies’ recoveries are a testament to the dedication of foster families, veterinary teams, and the community who rally to give them a second chance at life.”

Recovery from parvo typically requires three to seven days of hospitalization, followed by careful monitoring at home. Puppies can continue shedding the virus for up to two weeks after clinical improvement, requiring strict quarantine protocols to minimize the risk of spread.

“All six surviving puppies have fully recovered and successfully completed their post-recovery quarantine,” said MacLeod.

Most puppies who survive parvo go on to live normal, healthy lives. This litter is now available for adoption and looking for their forever homes, with one already pending placement.

While this litter’s story has a hopeful ending, the virus remains a real threat. There are steps the community can take to help mitigate the risk and spread, including keeping vaccinations up to date, limiting exposure for unvaccinated puppies, promptly picking up dog waste and seeking veterinary care at the first signs of vomiting or diarrhea.

Anyone interested in giving a forever home to a member of this litter can visit Heart Mountain Rescue's website for details.