On Tuesday night, NationalReviewOnline‘s Jonah Goldberg, an avid sharer of personal details on Twitter, announced that his new puppy Zoë had fallen ill, eliciting a natural outpouring of sympathy from complete strangers and friends. “Snowball fight cancelled on account of health scare for puppy,” he wrote. “Her litter mate has parvo. Waiting at vet.”
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that can be fatal if left untreated. The illness largely affects the intestinal tract. It can also cause lifelong heart issues. The general symptoms include lethargy, severe vomiting and foul-smelling diarrhea (don’t kill the messenger here, it is what it is). The virus is often transmitted through a dog’s feces. The way to prevent a dog from getting Parvovirus is making sure the pet is up to date on vaccinations. Reports say the virus cannot spread from dogs to humans.
Goldberg released a variety of pictures of the pup, such as this one shown here. “Bad day for Zozo,” he remarked.
Over the past few days the writer periodically updated readers on Zoë’s condition: “Zoë tested neg for parvo. But has some symptoms,” he wrote. “Could be in incubation period. Got lots of IV fluids & antibiotics. Wait & see now.” Later he released a picture of Zoë gnawing on his daughter’s clothing. He explained, “Zoë okay for now. Self-medicating with my daughter’s sock.”
Last night he delivered another update, saying, “My thanks to everyone asking about Zoë. She’s still hospitalized at vet. Second night. Doing well, but not out of the woods.”
The news prompted some to pray for the dog, including Breitbart News‘ John Nolte. “Just caught up on your pup Zoe,” he wrote Goldberg, apparently taking a breather from charging media bias. “Sympathies and hopeful prayers.”
Others, meanwhile, resorted to unsolicited advice. “PARVO IS A VIRUS!!!!!!” shrieked what had to be the well-intentioned Arlene Smith. “ANTIBIOTICS WON’T WORK FOR IT!!!!! TAMIFUL!!!!!!! PLEASE LISTEN!!!!!!!!” In case Goldberg wasn’t listening: “SHE WAS EXPOSED TO LITTER MATE!!! TAMIFUL AS PROPHYLACTIC!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!! … DON’T WAIT AND SEE!!!! TAMIFUL NOW!!!!!”
Sorry, Arlene, but the ASPCA insists the disease is serious, that home remedies are not recommended, and the vet is the best course of action
Poor Zoë can’t decide for herself if she wants to be on social media.