See Amazing Recovery of 11-Week-Old Shelter Puppy From 'Insidious Disease'

An 11-week-old puppy has defied the odds to make a miraculous recovery after coming down with a potentially deadly case of parvo.

German shepherd Inka is in the care of Westside German Shepherd Rescue in Los Angeles, California, and was with her foster mom when she started displaying alarming symptoms.

Inka was found alongside her sisters in a laundry basket by the side of the road. The three tiny girls were just eight weeks old when they came to the shelter, and have since gone to foster homes where they can be cared for.

When Inka was vomiting and refusing to eat, the foster carer rushed her to the vet to determine the cause of her illness. The devastating diagnosis came in—Canine parvovirus, or parvo—a highly contagious and often fatal canine virus.

"It is such an insidious disease, and it is highly contagious, she could have gotten it anywhere," Robin Jampol from Westside German Shepherd Rescue told Newsweek. "We always vaccinate when any dog comes in, but they were too young to have finished their series of vaccinations. We are always concerned we will lose a puppy with parvo, as our vets say with such an effective vaccine, it just shouldn't be a disease that exists anymore, but so many people aren't vaccinating their dogs."

Parvo symptoms include severe vomiting, diarrhea with blood, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Infected dogs may also exhibit fever and dehydration. If dog owners notice any of these symptoms, immediate veterinary attention is crucial, while isolating them from any other dogs is important too as parvo is incredibly contagious.

Treatment often involves supportive care such as intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medications, and antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.

Inka's condition was critical, with a high fever, elevated heart rate, and early signs of pneumonia. Acting swiftly, the decision was made that she would be cared for overnight at the emergency vet.

The situation took a toll on the rescue organization's finances, which are already strained with numerous veterinary expenses. But incredibly, Inka's foster mom covered the emergency vet bills using her own credit card.

Thankfully, the quick and effective care Inka received allowed her to make an incredible recovery.

"Inka is doing great," said Jampol, who revealed that she even has a new home lined up when she has recovered fully. "She went back to her foster home yesterday and when she is ready, she already has an adopter ready to adopt her."

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