We told you that uber hunk Robert Pattinson adopted a dog from a Louisiana shelter during the filming of the next Twilight installment, Breaking Dawn, but turns out the little pup has been battling illness all this time.

It seems that his pup contracted canine parvovirus, a highly contagious virus that can be severe in puppies. In extreme cases the cardiac form of the virus causes respiratory or cardiovascular failure, and can have a 91% fatality rate if left untreated. Yikes!

The 24-year-old (soon to be 25) initially bought the dog to save himself from boredom while on set, as many of his remote location shoots leave him without visitors. But it appears that the dog has become almost family to Pattinson, because when the pup fell ill only the best treatment would do.

“It sounds ridiculous but my dog was sick with a puppy disease called parvo and it was such a relief being able to go into the vet and say, ‘I want the best, immediately,’” he explained to Britain’s Elle magazine.

We’re really glad to hear that Pattinson’s puppy is on the mend, and that this shelter dog is getting not only a second chance at life, but a loving home to live it in.

Via Contact Music