Sad news about Oprah's puppy

Sad news about one of Oprah Winfrey's recently adopted puppies.

The cocker spaniel puppy named Ivan has died after becoming ill with the parvovirus. Winfrey's other puppy, Sadie, a litter mate of Ivan's, also has been found to have the disease but has been responding to treatment, according to a spokeswoman.

Puppies are very susceptible to the parvovirus since their immune systems aren't fully developed. The survival rate is nearly 80 percent with proper treatment.

There is a vaccine for the disease. Ivan apparently contracted the disease after receiving one parvo vaccination but before having a crucial booster shot. 

My former dog, Pilgrim, an Australian shepherd, had the parvovirus before I adopted him from a rescue group. The group had gotten him out of a local shelter near Perris after a family had turned him in. He was about a year old and the rescue group figured he'd never had a vaccination for the disease. Pilgrim became ill just about a week after the group took him in and spent about 10 days in a vet hospital, finally pulling through. Once a dog survives the disease, dogs are immune.