
Our Lab puppy got very, very, very sick at 6 months, fully vaccinated. Parvo was suspected but not tested for as the test is quite expensive and VEt said treatment was the same as for any other severe gastro. ailment. Vet said the fact that she was vaccinated and not a really young puppy were factors in her favour. Vet said a dog's white blood cell count is normally 16 (this is some kind of abbreviation, I'm not really up on how the numbers are presented). A count of 8 is a sick dog. A count of 2 is a dead dog. Jet was 4. She was on IV for three days but fully recovered. We were told she might be susceptible to gastro ailments so should only board at certain kennels which could disinfect between dogs, other than that, no caveats. Your friend's dog is even older so hoping for a good outcome.
If I have the blood stuff wrong corrections would be appreciated, it was 12 years ago.