Nahanni Butte (Feb 03/06) - When 14 puppies at the Nahanni Butte Animal Shelter wouldn't eat, Bhreagh Ingarfield was worried.

Ingarfield, 14, and her friends Kayla Betsaka, 15, and Kyra Tanche, 14, opened the animal shelter in the fall.

Snowfire is one of 14 puppies at the Nahanni Butte Animal Shelter that caught parvo. - photo courtesy of Bhreagh Ingarfield

This was the first time any of the dogs had been seriously ill.

On Jan. 17 they gave the puppies some appetite enhancers, but when they finally ate they vomited the food back up. Ingarfield said they had an idea what was wrong and a phone call to a vet in Yellowknife provided confirmation.

The puppies had parvo virus. They were advised to bring them in as soon as possible.

To keep the puppies going, the girls brought them to the hotel at the Nahanni Butte Store where they stayed up all night caring for them. Two of the dogs were very sick and one, Bandit, had to be put down, said Ingarfield.

After a few phone calls by Priscilla Betsaka, the puppies were driven to Fort Simpson the next day where Lois Martin donated six crates and First Air flew them for free to Yellowknife.

"It was unbelievably nice," said Ingarfield who accompanied the puppies.

But of the 13 puppies sent to the hospital, three died.

"The rest are doing really well," said Natalie Sveinsson, an animal technician at the Great Slave Animal Hospital where the puppies are being treated.

Parvo virus, an often fatal viral disease, mainly affects puppies, said Sveinsson.

"Basically if you have a puppy keep it away from non-vaccinated animals," said Sveinsson.

Symptoms of parvo can include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and high fever.

Parvo is spread through infected feces and can be carried on clothes and shoes. The virus can live for a month indoors and approximately seven months outside, Sveinsson said. Diluted bleach will kill the virus.

Vaccinations are a necessary protection. Puppies born to vaccinated mothers get some of her antibodies and are less at risk. At six to eight weeks, puppies should get a booster shot followed by two other shots at intervals of three to four weeks. Dogs should also be given a shot annually, said Sveinsson.

Although the SPCA is paying for the puppies' treatment, Ingarfield said they feel responsible because the puppies weren't vaccinated. So on Saturday the girls raised $386 at a yard and bake sale they organized.

"We figured we should do whatever we can to help pay for the bills. They're our dogs we're suppose to be taking care of," said Ingarfield.

After the puppies recover they will be neutered and spayed and sent to Edmonton for adoption.