August 2012 by Ellen Jefferson, DVM

Audience: Veterinary Team

Video Length: 13 minutes

As part of their overall effort to save all the injured and ill animals at the city shelter, Austin Pets Alive developed a program for parvovirus treatment and a protocol for distemper treatment. As a result, their save rates for these diseases are near 85%. In this session at the 2012 Maddie's® Shelter Medicine Conference at the University of Florida, Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Veterinarian and Executive Director of Austin Pets Alive, will discuss the clinical manifestations and methods used to treat parvovirus infection. She will also talk about why the disease occurs and methods to prevent it.

Learning objectives:

  • Learn how to save dogs with canine parvovirus
  • Identify how to leverage the community so your shelter can afford to save affected pets

After viewing the presentation, click here to take the quiz and receive a Certificate of Attendance!

About Dr. Ellen Jefferson, DVM

Dr. Jefferson is a leader in Austin's No-Kill effort. She joined Austin Pets Alive as Executive Director in 2008 and began applying best practices in efficiency and operations to resolve Austin's previously high euthanasia rate. Within the first year of her leadership, Austin Pets Alive reduced euthanasia in Austin by more than 20%, and in 2011, Austin reached a 91% save rate. She founded EmanciPET in 1999 and has been its Director for nine years. Before that she worked nights as an emergency room veterinarian, volunteering during the daytime at the local animal shelter. She graduated from Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997.

Since 2008, Dr. Jefferson has been the Mayor's appointee to Austin's Animal Advisory Commission, and in 2009 she was a finalist for the Austin Under Forty Awards. She also served on the Nation Spay/Neuter Task Force from 2007-2009 and has had work published in the peer-reviewed veterinary literature.