As a new pet parent, we have this idea that everything is going to be great and amazing. You are going to spoil your little baby and go on walks and play for hours at a time. That is until something like Parvovirus or Parvo hits your puppy.
If your fur baby is experience any sign of sickness take them to the vet. This is a serious and deadly virus. A puppy’s immune system is not strong enough to fight this on their own. It might be something less serious or it might not be. Better safe than sorry.
Parvo Signs to look out for:
- lethargy
- loss of appetite
- abdominal pain and bloating
- fever or low body temperature (hypothermia)
- vomiting
- severe, often bloody, diarrhea
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/canine-parvovirus
When I got my dog Zelda, she was flown in from another state. The person who delivered her said she had some diarrhea and vomiting. She was covered in her own shit and vomit. I washed her up and she barely had enough energy to move. I attempted to give her chicken, her own food and puppy milk with no luck.
She was drinking water so I thought the flight made her sick. I gave her Vetoquinol Nutri-Cal Gel through out the day. I made the decision to wait until the next day before visiting the vet.
Link to buy Vetoquinol Nutri-Cal Gel:
Is it time to visit the vet?
I made the decision to visit the vet when her diarrhea was not getting better and she was refusing to eat. She was drinking water but it was concerning that she was not eating. She was larger than my Yorkie but they both weight the same. I felt because of how thin she was and her lack of appetite it was enough to go.
I had never heard of Parvo and I was told this is a highly contagious virus and deadly if not properly taken care of. If your dog is diagnose with this virus keep your other dogs away and clean up the poop right away.
I did not know this and my dogs were already in contact with Zelda. Luckily my other two dogs were older and able to fight the virus easier. But it was hell, I had 3 dogs to clean up after (nasty watery shit) and force feed.
How to care for a puppy with Parvovirus (Parvo)
You must take your dog to the vet, although there is no cure for a virus, the medication can help with the vomiting and diarrhea. Give your dog the medication for the full amount prescribed, do not stop even if they seem to be getting better.
Zelda did not get better and so I went back to the vet for stronger medication. After they prescribed a stronger medication she seemed to be getting better.
Give your dog A LOT of water. I gave all 3 of my dogs unflavored Pedialyte. Periodically I would use a medicine syringes to force them to drink more.
Take it easy, no long walks and avoid place with a lot of dogs. I avoid the outside world for a good 2 weeks for fear she was catch something worse. A puppies immune system is weak and she was not vaccinated due to her diarrhea.
Because all 3 of dogs had a lack of appetite, I would boil chicken and rice. The first few days they would only pick at the food. If you give your dog Vetoquinol Nutri-Cal Gel throughout the day do not worry as much. After about 3 days they started to eat again.
Life after Parvovirus (Parvo)
Just take life easy, I understand you want to take your puppy to the park and show off your new puppy. I consider myself incredibly lucky to still have all 3 of my dogs. I missed out on a few things of Zelda as a puppy but I have a life time with her.
Now they are all healthy and they cannot stop eating and play! Your dogs will be recovering over the next few weeks as they start increase their immune system. I let them sniff the ground and walked down the street then I went home. As the days and weeks progressed, we made our way to 40 minute walks.
