My puppy shows parvo signs. What can I do if I can't afford a vet?

Your pet has a very low chance of survival without veterinary care. Because parvovirus pets need antibiotics, fluids (subcutaneous at the least), and anti-vomit medication to prevent life threatening dehydration. The only thing you can do at home without veterinary care is fluid support (i.e. Pedialyte) and nutritional support (Pediasure) orally, which is problematic because without anti-vomit medication your puppy is likely to just vomit this back up. Please try to find someone to help you at least get Grizz seen for outpatient care, which will give him more of a chance for survival. Here are some other financial resources that may be able to help as well: www.carecredit.com redrover.org

All you can do is supportive care meaning trying to give her fluids (something like children's Pedialyte) and small amounts of food (like human baby food, meat flavors). Do tiny amounts every hour or two. Hopefully she will be able to keep it down. The reason they need to be in the hospital on IVs is because they vomit up everything you try to give them by mouth. Keep her warm and comfortable. I really don't think people understand the seriousness of this disease. This disease (that is absolutely preventable with proper vaccinations) kills their intestinal cells and then depletes their white blood cells so they cannot fight the virus (among other terrible things this virus does). She should really be hospitalized with intravenous fluids, intravenous antibiotics, anti-nausea medications, pain medications and trickle feeding. Often times a plasma transfusion is needed to replace all the lost white blood cells. If you want to give her the best chance at survival then you need to get her to a vet for hospitalization. If finances are a concern I would have tried to direct you to a low cost clinic but since you did not provide your correct zip code I am unable to do so. I suggest you do your own research on the internet. Sorry, but this disease is not easily treated at home. You can try the above but that is about all you can do from home. If you would like to post again with your proper location then maybe we can direct you to a clinic or organization that can help you.

I'm sorry to hear that Gizmo is so sick! Unfortunately, these symptoms are very worrying. Lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea are often caused by a serious illness such as parvo, and can be life-threatening in a puppy this age. I know that costs are a concern for you, but Gizmo really needs to see a vet right away - I would be worried that she may not survive without veterinary care. This doesn't necessarily need to be an expensive visit; if you let the vet know that you have financial constraints, they can often come up with a fairly inexpensive plan for supportive care (including IV fluids and injectable meds for you to give at home) that will give her a fighting chance even with a serious illness like this. You could also see if there is a low-cost SPCA clinic in your area that could help, or apply online for Care Credit, which is a payment plan accepted by most vet clinics: www.carecredit.com If going to the vet is not possible at all, then I would just try to keep her warm and comfortable and do the best you can to keep her hydrated. You can continue giving Pedialyte if she's able to keep it down, and you might also try offering her some warmed low-sodium chicken or beef broth to help encourage her to drink. Plain boiled chicken or chicken-flavored baby food can also be offered if she's interested in eating at all, as these are very bland and should not upset her stomach further.

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Zoe! I do not recommend activated charcoal for parvo. I also do not recommend enemas. Enemas will make the diarrhea worse and will further dehydrate Zoe. There is an outpatient protocol for parvo. You'd have to see the Vet to get the supplies but it is much cheaper then hospitalizing and has a decent success rate. Puppies die from parvo secondary to dehydration and sepsis. All you can do at home with out some veterinary involvement is to gently syringe water and liquefied canned food. I would print this protocol out and have Zoe seen today. Get the at home supplies. I wish you the best! https://drjustinelee.com/using-the-colorado-protocol-for-canine-parvovirus-dr-justine-lee-board-certified-veterinary-specialist/

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Charlie! Zofran is used off label for protracted vomiting, though giving pills to a vomiting dog will not go well. All medications have to be prescribed by a doctor who has seen Charlie, it is illegal for us to provide dosing to a dog we haven't examined. . There are other choices that your Vet can provide for you to use at home. Also pepto bismol can be used off label. Giving oral medications to a vomiting dog isn't ideal and it is very likely he will vomit the pepto. Do not use Tylenol in dogs, especially dogs that are dehydrated and have severe GI disease. Vomiting and diarrhea are part of parvo virus. Most puppies survive, about 80-90% with Veterinary guidance. Even at home. I have attached a hand out you can bring to your local vet to help get you the best medications for at home care. I hope this helps and I wish Charlie a speedy recovery! https://drjustinelee.com/using-the-colorado-protocol-for-canine-parvovirus-dr-justine-lee-board-certified-veterinary-specialist/ https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/pepto-bismol/ https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/tylenol/

If your puppy has parvo he is not likely to make it until the 18th with home treatment. Homeopathy has not been shown to help this disease. Parvo is very serious. Please get him to a vet. If you can't afford veterinary care then you should reconsider having a dog. I am sorry to be so harsh but this is the most frustrating part of this profession for veterinary professionals. The puppy should not made to suffer. I understand that people have financial constraints but having a puppy/dog is not an inexpensive endeavor. At this point he may be starting to break with parvo but since he is still eating and drinking he may just have intestinal parasites (worms) causing the bloody diarrhea. General dewormers often don't treat the parasites that cause bloody stools; a prescription product is needed once a fecal test determines what parasites are present. Either way, he needs to be seen by a vet. If he doesn't have parvo then you need to be sure to get him his vaccinations at the appropriate intervals so that he gets protected. You can get low cost vaccines at the local Humane Society or at your local VETCO clinic if there is a Petco near you. ( https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/clinic-locations-and-schedules/ ) I would try to help you find a low cost full-service vet in your area but you did not provide an accurate zip code. There are many low cost clinics these days. Just do a Google search in your area or call your local humane society as they can probably refer you to one. There are also many organizations to help people with financial constraints to afford vet care. Buying homeopathy is a waste of money in either of these cases (parvo or parasites). ( https://www.dogingtonpost.com/need-help-with-vet-bills-or-pet-food-there-are-resources-available/ ) Trupanion is the insurance I recommend. ( https://trupanion.com/ ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Just regular canned puppy food would be fine. She may not like what you are feeding. Just getting some calories in her is important. If she is drinking on her own or eating canned food well, then you can stop with the Pedialyte - some dogs really don't like the taste. If she won't eat the canned puppy food (which would be best) you can try bland human foods like: *plain white rice *scrambled eggs * boiled chicken breast * plain pasta No butter, oil or spices on the food.