Parvovirus is a highly contagious, potentially lethal illness that should not go untreated. Puppies in particular are especially at risk as they have greater susceptibility to infection than adult dogs.
Though parvo is a serious condition, there are some things you can do at home to help your pup recover and prevent the spread of the disease. These home remedies will not only aid in recovery but may also prevent future outbreaks.
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Isolate Your Pup
Parvovirus is a highly contagious illness and should be treated promptly. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and fever.
Your dog may become weak and lethargic as a result of dehydration due to rapid fluid loss.
Thankfully, intravenous fluids can be administered by a veterinarian to replace fluids lost during severe sickness.
Fluids will also help your puppy hydrate and balance his or her electrolytes, which is especially essential in puppies since they do not possess the same reservoirs of fluid as older dogs.
Once your pup returns home from treatment, it’s essential to keep him or her isolated from other animals. Doing this helps prevent the virus from spreading among pets and also stops any infections being transferred onto you.
Feed Your Pup a Special Diet
Parvo can cause dogs to rapidly lose weight, experience frequent vomiting and diarrhea, and dehydrate rapidly. These symptoms could eventually lead to oxygen-depleted brain and heart tissue, or even lead to death if not addressed quickly.
To treat parvo in a puppy, feed him an exclusive diet designed specifically for recovery. This should be given in small meals several times daily and be easy for your puppy to digest.
Once your puppy can hold down water, you can begin offering him food again. Start with soft food that’s easily digestible and provides a high-protein, low fat diet for him to explore.
You could also try feeding your pup the Paxxin diet for dogs with parvo, which is widely available at most pet stores. This diet helps control symptoms such as vomiting and lethargy by giving it every hour so it becomes easier for your pup to eat.
Give Your Pup Antibiotics
Your puppy will require antibiotics to combat the bacteria causing Parvo. Antibiotics work by eliminating harmful bacteria without harming healthy cells, so they’re an effective solution.
Bacterial infections in your dog’s system can make them very ill and dehydrated, which is why it’s crucial to keep them hydrated during treatment.
Veterinarian medications like amoxicillin, clarithromycin and gentamicin are often prescribed for this infection. Your vet may also suggest taking a stomach-coating medication or giving your pup a probiotic to support their digestive health.
Once your pup’s health has returned, you can begin introducing food again. Start with a small, bland diet initially so that his body is prepared.
Give Your Pup Intravenous Fluids
One common way to treat your puppy’s parvo symptoms is with intravenous (IV) fluids. These replenish the body’s fluid and electrolyte losses due to vomiting or diarrhea.
IV fluids for dogs can be administered either subcutaneously or directly into your pup’s vein. Your veterinarian will instruct you on how to administer these injections safely.
To determine if your puppy is dehydrated, pinch the skin at the back of his neck and watch how quickly it bounces back up. If this takes more than 2 seconds, your pup likely needs to be rehydrated immediately.
In some cases, your vet may prescribe special IV solutions such as dextrans. These are made from starch and will increase the volume of intravascular fluid in your bloodstream; however, they can interfere with normal coagulation so should be given slowly.
