How To Treat Parvo At Home

Parvovirus, commonly known as parvo, is a highly contagious virus that affects dogs, particularly puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It can lead to severe illness and, if left untreated, can be fatal. While professional veterinary care is essential in managing parvo, there are steps you can take at home to support your dog's recovery and alleviate symptoms. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to treat parvo at home:

How to Tell If Your Dog Has Worms or Parvo?

Detecting whether your dog has worms or parvo requires different methods, as they present different symptoms and require different diagnostic approaches. Here's how you can distinguish between the two:

Signs of Worms in Dogs:

• Visible Worms in Stool: Sometimes you may see worms in your dog's stool, which can be an indicator of an infestation.

• Changes in Appetite: Worm infestations can sometimes lead to changes in appetite, either increased or decreased.

• Weight Loss: Despite maintaining the same diet, your dog might lose weight if they have a worm infestation.

• Lethargy: Worms can cause dogs to become lethargic or less energetic than usual.

• Visible Symptoms: Depending on the type of worms, you might observe symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, scooting (dragging their rear end along the ground), or visible irritation around the anus.

• Visible Worm Segments: Some types of worms, like tapeworms, shed segments that can sometimes be seen around the dog's anus or in their bedding.

Signs of Parvo in Dogs:

• Severe Vomiting: Dogs with parvovirus often exhibit severe and frequent vomiting, which may be accompanied by blood.

• Severe Diarrhea: Parvo can cause severe, bloody diarrhea, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

• Lethargy: Infected dogs may appear weak, lethargic, and unwilling to eat or drink.

• Loss of Appetite: Parvo-infected dogs often lose interest in food and may refuse to eat.

• Dehydration: Due to vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration can set in rapidly, leading to sunken eyes, dry gums, and weakness.

• Fever: Dogs with parvovirus often have a high fever.

Stages of Parvo

Parvovirus, or canine parvovirus (CPV), progresses through several stages during the course of the illness. These stages can vary in severity depending on factors such as the dog's age, health status, and promptness of treatment. Here are the typical stages of parvo:

1. Incubation Period

This is the initial stage after the dog is exposed to the virus. The incubation period usually lasts around 3 to 7 days but can range from 2 to 14 days. During this time, the virus begins replicating and spreading within the dog's body.

2. Early Stage (Days 1-3)

Fever: The infected dog may develop a high fever, often over 103°F (39.4°C).
Lethargy: The dog may appear weak, tired, and unwilling to engage in usual activities.
Loss of Appetite: The dog may show a decreased interest in food and water.
Vomiting: Initially, the vomit may not contain blood.

3. Acute Stage (Days 3-7)

Severe Gastrointestinal Symptoms: This is the most critical stage, characterized by severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Diarrhea may have a distinct foul odor.
Dehydration: The dog rapidly loses fluids through vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration. Dehydration can worsen quickly and become life-threatening.
Depression: The dog may become increasingly lethargic and depressed.
Weakness: The dog may be unable to stand or walk due to weakness and dehydration.

4. Recovery Stage (Days 7 and beyond)

Stabilization: If the dog survives the acute stage, symptoms may gradually improve as the immune system begins to fight off the virus.
Rehydration: With appropriate veterinary care, intravenous fluids and electrolytes can help restore hydration levels.
Appetite Improvement: As the dog starts feeling better, appetite may gradually return.
Continued Monitoring: Even during recovery, close veterinary monitoring is essential to ensure complications are managed effectively.

How to Cure Parvo Without a Vet?

Multiple studies indicate that without treatment, the survival rates for puppies with parvovirus can be as low as 9 percent.

Interestingly, a 2012 study revealed that the percentage of dogs recovering after receiving treatment in a hospital setting was 78.3 percent, while those treated at home had a recovery rate of 63.2 percent. However, it's essential to interpret these findings carefully. For example, it's worth noting that dogs with less severe cases of parvo are typically the ones more likely to be treated at home.

Provide Proper Nutrition and Supplementation

Offer easily digestible food such as boiled chicken or rice in small, frequent meals to avoid stressing the digestive system. Electrolyte solutions or pediatric rehydration solutions can help replace lost fluids and electrolytes. However, it's essential to monitor the dog's condition closely and discontinue oral intake if vomiting persists.

Puainta® IGY Factor Liquid for Cats & Dogs IGY is egg yolk immunoglobulin, which is obtained from the egg yolk produced by immune hens. It can improve the disease resistance and survival rate of young pets.

Ensure Adequate Hydration

Hydration is critical in parvo cases due to severe dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea. Offer small amounts of water frequently or consider administering fluids orally using a syringe if the dog is unable to drink voluntarily. Be cautious not to force fluids if the dog is vomiting excessively.

Regulate Body Temperature

Keep the dog warm and comfortable, as parvo can cause a drop in body temperature. Provide a warm, quiet environment with blankets or a heating pad set to a low temperature. However, be careful not to overheat the dog.

Medications and Antibiotics

While it's important to note that antibiotics do not directly treat the virus itself, they may be prescribed by a veterinarian to prevent secondary bacterial infections that can occur due to the weakened immune system. Anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medications may also be administered to manage symptoms and improve comfort.

	Stops diarrhea and supports gastrointestinal health Active Probiotics- Gives health benefit to the gut Bismuth Subcarbonate Tablets- Stops diarrhea
	For gastritis, vomiting, retching and indigestion Active Probiotics- Gives health benefit to the gut Cimetidine Tablets - Stops vomiting

If you have any questions about the use of medicines that you are unsure about, you can leave a message below the blog and a professional veterinarian will respond.

Is Parvo Contagious to Humans?

No, parvovirus (specifically canine parvovirus) is not contagious to humans. Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that affects dogs, particularly puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It primarily spreads through contact with infected feces, contaminated environments, or contact with infected dogs.

There is a related parvovirus that affects humans called human parvovirus B19, but it is a different strain and does not infect dogs. Human parvovirus B19 can cause a mild illness called fifth disease in children and adults, characterized by a rash on the face, body, and limbs. However, this human parvovirus does not cause illness in dogs.

How Long Can Parvo Live on Human Skin?

Canine parvovirus is highly contagious and can survive in the environment for an extended period under the right conditions. However, it's important to clarify that while humans can carry the virus on their skin or clothing, they cannot become infected with canine parvovirus. The virus is specific to dogs and cannot replicate in human cells.

As for how long the virus can survive on human skin or clothing, it's difficult to provide an exact timeframe as it depends on various factors such as environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) and the amount of virus present. Generally, the virus can persist on surfaces for several weeks to months, especially in cool and moist environments.

To prevent the spread of parvovirus, it's essential to practice good hygiene when caring for infected dogs or handling potentially contaminated materials. This includes washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with dogs, disinfecting surfaces with appropriate cleaners known to be effective against parvovirus, and changing clothes if there's a risk of contamination.

Prevent Canine Parvovirus Infection

Preventing canine parvovirus infection involves a combination of vaccination, good hygiene practices, and minimizing exposure to the virus. Here are some steps you can take to help prevent your dog from contracting parvovirus:

Vaccination: Ensure that your dog is up to date on their vaccinations, including the parvovirus vaccine. Puppies should receive a series of vaccinations starting at around 6-8 weeks of age, with booster shots given every 3-4 weeks until they are around 16 weeks old. Adult dogs should receive regular booster vaccinations as recommended by their veterinarian.

Limit Exposure: Avoid taking your dog to places where the risk of exposure to parvovirus is high, such as dog parks, animal shelters, or areas with a known history of parvovirus outbreaks, especially if your dog is not fully vaccinated.

Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling other dogs, especially if you've been in contact with feces or contaminated surfaces. Disinfect any objects or surfaces that may have come into contact with infected dogs, such as food and water bowls, toys, bedding, and crates.

Quarantine New Dogs: If you have recently adopted or acquired a new dog, keep them separated from other dogs until they have been properly vaccinated and cleared of any potential health issues by a veterinarian.

Can a Vaccinated Dog Get Parvo?

While it's rare, it is possible for a vaccinated dog to still contract parvovirus. The effectiveness of vaccinations is not 100%, and several factors can contribute to a vaccinated dog becoming infected with parvovirus:

Incomplete Vaccination Series: Puppies receive a series of vaccinations to build up immunity against parvovirus. If a puppy does not complete the full vaccination series or if there are gaps in the vaccination schedule, they may not develop sufficient immunity to prevent infection.

Vaccine Failure: While vaccines are highly effective, they are not perfect. In some cases, a dog's immune system may not respond adequately to the vaccine, resulting in vaccine failure. This could be due to various factors such as genetics, underlying health conditions, or improper storage or administration of the vaccine.

Conclusion

While home treatment can help manage symptoms and support your dog's recovery from parvo, it's important to remember that parvovirus is a serious illness that requires professional veterinary care. If you suspect your dog has parvo or if their condition worsens despite home treatment, seek veterinary attention immediately. With prompt and appropriate care, many dogs can recover from parvo and go on to live happy, healthy lives.