What should I do if my 3-month-old puppy has parvo? Home care tips?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on June 13th, 2017

  Oh no, poor Bailey! He needs medications which include antibiotics (injectable Cefazolin or Ampicillin if he isn't eating), anti-nausea medication (i.e Cerenia or Metoclopramide), and nutritional support (Nutri-cal, available over the counter perhaps at your local pet store). As long as he is getting fluid therapy, he is getting much needed electrolytes which is greatly beneficial towards his improvement because dehydration is the number one cause of death in these pets. You can also offer him small amounts of Pediasure using a syringe or small turkey baster. I hope this helps and he recovers!

  

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• Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on February 24th, 2017

  Oh my. I am so sorry your pet Harley has been infected with this very deadly disease. She needs proper treatment if he is going to be given the best opportunity to survive this. The main killer of this disease is dehydration, so continuing the fluid therapy at home (via subcutaneous fluids) is the #1 focus of treatment. Ask the vet if you can purchase an entire bag of saline to continue giving her and get the proper training on how to administer this. The second most important treatment is antibiotics and anti-vomit medication. You should get these in injectable form, to prevent vomiting of the medication right back up. Your vet can administer these injections to your pet on a daily basis via appt, if you cannot afford to hospitalize Harley. I have done this lots of times with pets and have managed to help them survive parvovirus. Tamiful (antiviral) is optional and I have not seen a drastic improvement with survival rate when using this oral medication.
  And also trying to give Harley small amounts of a bland diet (when tolerated) is crucial to quick recovery time. Even a liquid diet of Pediasure or low sodium chicken broth can be given. You can also try Pedialyte (if tolerated) but the subcutaneous fluids are far superior and will stay in the pets body, as opposed to oral Pedialyte which can be vomited back up, leading to increased dehydration. I wish your pup the best and hope she makes a full recovery.

  

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• Answered By Emily, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on June 13th, 2017

  I'm sorry to hear about Bailey being sick. In addition to what your veterinarian has prescribed you can talk to them about antibiotics as well as anti-nausea medication. Even though this is a viral infection puppies often get secondary bacterial infections which is why we usually use antibiotics. They also tend to get very nauseous from this infection which is why I recommend talking to your veterinarian about an anti-nausea medication. You also need to keep Bailey warm and dry which may mean frequent bathing from the diarrhea. You can sometimes apply anointment like Desitin if his rear area starts to get raw from the diarrhea.
  
  I would offer anything Bailey is willing to eat and that may include warmed puppy food or even white rice and bland chicken. However if Bailey is vomiting and unable to hold down food and water he is likely to get dehydrated very quickly with his small size. If he starts to act weak you may try applying Karo syrup to his gums as weakness can be a sign of low blood sugar.
  
  I have had cases a parvo that do survive with at home care. So this is not a hopeless situation but it will require frequent nursing care on your part as well as constant communication with your veterinarian.

  

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