help please puppy with parvo!?

Question

okay so i got a 3 month pup on october 20th, her name is Roxy, i absolutely adore her!
when she came home for the first time she seemed fine but later that night she was throwing up, the next day she had diarreah and loss of apetite although she was drinking heavily. we figured it was just from being stressed and getting all her meds/shots a day or two before coming home. she continued this behavior but one night i got her to eat some dry turkey. the next day (october 24th) we took her into the vet assuming she also may have had kennel cough. the vet took fecal matter tests and they came back VERY positive for parvo. since my dog was from the nearby humane society they were unsure of her age but the vet said she may be old enough to make it through.. any advice? how bout if she does make it.. any good cleaning ideas, i've bleached all the floors and probably will do it again. i am so scared for otherdogs as well. ideas for cleaning carpet,
clothes, yard, or inside of the car?

Answer 1

The best and most consistent thing to kill the parvo virus in the environment is a 1:20 dilution of bleach:water. Do not make it any stronger than that. Not weaker, either. Clean every hard surface, let the diluted bleach solution sit for 20 minutes, then clean it again. Parvo is very easy to kill on hard surfaces that are not damaged by bleach.

The problem comes in trying to rid it from carpet, the yard, the air, etc. You can't bleach those things, and the virus can live for years in the environment. Just do the best you can. When your puppy recovers, she will have immunity to the virus for a time, then you'll get her booster vaccinations when your DVM tells you she's ready. (She's even more susceptible to other viruses like distemper during her recovery phase.)

As to other dogs, the vaccination is very effective at preventing the virus in susceptible dogs when properly administered (that means NOT from the coop, feed stores, or mail-order sources.) It's everyone's responsibility to make sure their own pets are protected. The virus is already out there, all over the place....not just because of your puppy.

You didn't mention Roxy's treatment plan. If you left her in the hospital for aggressive continuous IV medications, if her WBC isn't too low, and if she isn't a Rottweiler, Doberman, or black Labrador.....she's got a decent chance if it was caught in time.

Sending get-well-as-quickly-as-possible puppy kisses for Roxy. Good luck.


ETA: The other cleaning products listed above have no effect at all against the parvo virus. Pedialyte only helps in very MILD cases of parvo. The vast majority require IV fluids and electrolytes, because their intestinal lining has been destroyed by the virus, and cannot absorb anything given orally. In fact, if given too soon, oral substances will only make it worse. Treatment for parvo is expensive and cost varies throughout the country. Average is $400-$900. That's with no guarantee of survival...it's just an expensive, and labor-intensive disease to treat, no matter what the outcome. This puppy clearly caught the virus at the shelter (since the incubation period averages 4-7 days), but they are in no way liable for the cost of treatment. That's a risk everyone takes when adopting a pet from such facilities. The shelter already knows parvo exists there (it does in EVERY shelter), and they do everything they can to try and prevent its spread. But they can't help the fact that so many unvaccinated, susceptible, and carrier animals come together in one place. It's not their fault.

And to the asker: If Roxy hasn't had a WBC count done, or been tested for coccidia, hookworms, giardia, etc....please ask for them to be done. If the shelter gave her a parvo vaccination a day or two before you adopted her, it's entirely possible that the test was a false positive. The vaccination causes them to shed altered virus in their feces, and the test cannot differentiate between the real virus and the vaccine. (It's a common misconception that it CAN tell the difference, because that's what the test manufacturer says. Independent research indicates otherwise, however.) If the WBC is low, that pretty much confirms it IS parvo. If it's normal, that doesn't rule it out, but it's a better sign. It's also important not to forget to treat concurrent parasite problems, because they can delay the recovery from parvo immensely. And all of those parasites can cause the symptoms you described, all on their own. It's usually a combination problem in shelter puppies, though.....of parvo, hookworms, and coccidia. It's important to identify and address them all at the same time.

Answer 2

So sorry to hear that. Bleach, bleach, bleach! Bleach absolutely everything. I'd also throw away any toys, dog beds, and clothes you know you were wearing while in contact with your pup while she was sick just for safety! Make sure to clean up your yard very well. Parvo also can stay in the soil outside for a long period of time so when your poor pup does make it home I wouldn't bring her in the yard where she usually went to the bathroom before for even a few months JUST to be extra safe! I know it's hard to keep them indoors for so long but that's definitely what you want to do when she gets home.

IV fluids are a must to keep her hydrated. I also know from experience with a parvo puppy how expensive the vet treatment can be. There are many at home treatments you can do as well. Such as Pedialyte, Gatorade, and baby food. Wishing you and your puppy the best of luck and I hope she gets better soon to live a long happy life!

Answer 3

Parvo is a very serious (deadly) illness. First notify the humane society because other dogs in their facilities may very well likely have Parvo as well. I don't know what the terms of agreement, but treating Parvo is very expensive ($2000+). I don't know if you can get the Shelter to help pay for this or not.

Do not take your puppy outside until they are 6 months and have all their shots (including Parvo shot). The puppy's immune system is not yet strong enough and can contract many diseases as a result. I know it's hard to keep a puppy in the home for such a long time but it is necessary for his/her health. I hope everything turns out okay. Good luck!

Answer 4

CLOROX is your best friend! Also With the crpets I would ask your vet if they have any suggestions for cleaning ti or your car. I would think using regular dish soap or laundry detergent should be fine, but I dont knwo.

I dont remember for sure if it will bleed color but peroxide may be a good idea for the carpet and the car. And honestly for any clothes with extensive exposure to the dog I would say just throw them away, for safety's sake.


Hope this helps
steff

Answer 5

I had a Boston Terrier to die with parvo on meone time, I was soo sad, I really loved this puppy, he turned out sordive a grey color, he was beautiful, unfortunately, he did not make it, but a friend told me, that his dog, got parvo, and they didn't expect it to make it, and he fed it raw eggs, and he said the dog got better, I don't know, I have never tried that, but he swore by it, so you might give it a shot. Good luck to you and your puppy.

Answer 6

OK I have the remedy,its very simple but our puppy got parvo and we gave him this and it worked,he lived for 10 years.Go to the store and buy some children's bubble gum pedialyte,the kind with the dropper.Give her this daily,I promise she will make it!!!Please let me know how she is after you've given her this medicine..my email address is [e-mail]