A Texas puppy with a deadly virus was found floating in a box on a river

A man has rescued a puppy he discovered floating in a box on a river in Texas, and the pooch is now in a shelter ready for adoption.

Earlier this month, Austin Pets Alive! received a call from another state shelter saying the man had come with a puppy he found floating in a river and needed help that their shelter could not provide.

The pup, a two-month-old black Labrador retriever mix, had tested positive for parvovirus, a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus, Austin Pets Alive! writes on Facebook.

The virus affects the gastrointestinal tract of dogs and is spread through direct contact between dogs, as well as through contact with contaminated feces, environments or people. It can contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people handling infected dogs. Unvaccinated dogs and puppies under four months of age are most at risk of infection.

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After the two shelters communicated, the man who rescued the pup drove two hours to Austin Pets Alive! ICU Parvo Puppy. This shelter operates one of the only Parvo intensive care units in the country and was able to treat the pup.

Medical clinic director Lauren Heymann told FOX 7 that the pup, later named Kayak, was « collapsed » and was lethargic and pale. Kayak was hospitalized and clinic staff and volunteers treated him and gave him antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and medication for vomiting and nausea. They also gave him food using a syringe.

The pup, a two-month-old black Labrador retriever mix, had tested positive for parvovirus, a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus.
(Austin Pets Alive!)

Kayak was so sick that he initially showed no signs of his personality. But over the next few days, as he received care and treatment, the pup got better, ate more and grew to 18 pounds, the shelter said.

« Now that he’s tested negative, he’s back to his old tail-wagging ways, » Austin Pets Alive! writes on Facebook. « He can’t wait to learn more about this big world he finds himself in! »

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The man who rescued the pup drove two hours to Austin Pets Alive! ICU Parvo Puppy. This shelter operates one of the only Parvo intensive care units in the country and was able to treat the pup.
(Austin Pets Alive!)

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Kayak is now available for adoption at Austin Pets Alive! Town Lake Adoption Center.