HELP! found out earlier that my 4 month 4 pound puppy has PARVO! What can i do to make her heal quicker?

Question

My 4 month old dog started acting lethargic 4 days ago, started throwing up, then she started to rejected water and food. I thought she had just eaten something she wasnt supposed to and it would pass then I found out last night when i took her to the vet that she has parvo. I had an option to leave her there for treatment or take her home, i had to take her home along with some shots that they gave her and meds. I couldn't afford the 15 hr minimal recomended stay for about $800. I'm giving her 3ml of pedialight every 20 min. Now she has only thrown up once since i started at midnight 5 hrs ago. I need some tips from anyone who has gone through this because this is a really hard thing to go through right now. Im gonna call into work today to take care of her and dissinfect the whole house.

Answer 1

Its good that she hasnt thrown up in a while, but the tendency is that parvo pups get a lot worse before they get better. The reason hospitilization is recommended is that the best treatment for parvo is to take nothing in orally (water, food, meds) but of course since they are at risk of dehydration they must have IV fluids during that time, and there are several medications that are given IV as well. Keep feeding her small amounts of water/pedialyte frequently as long as shes able to keep it down. Once she is able to keep down fluids for 24 hours, start introducing small amounts of a bland diet (I would recommend you purchase one from your vet, for some reason the homemade ones dont seem to sit as well in parvo pups like they do adults) every 4 hours (1-2 Tbsp). If she starts vomiting again though, you will need to take her back to the vet. The whole house/yard should be disinfected and she should be quarantined from all other puppies or unvaccinated adult dogs. Good luck

Answer 2

My 3lb Chihuahua got parvo about 6 months ago, but never threw up. He just got the runs, lethargic and not wanting to eat. When he tested positive at the vets, the vet told me since he did not have a severe case I could take him home and do antibiotics and pedialite, but before I left he gave him a large amount of saline injections under his skin. That his body would be able to absorbe in a couple days. He looked and felt like he had a water balloon under his skin, but I took him back to get the shots every 2 days for a week, and he lived. The vet said he did not get such a bad case cause he was up to date on his shots. If you do not think the pedialite is enough call your vet and ask about the saline injections. They are much cheaper than keeping him at the vets. Good Luck.

Answer 3

My wife is a vet. I would get her to answer but she's sleeping. I've seen her use IV fluids on parvo dogs many times. Since you probably don't have that option, I would say the pedialight is the next best thing. I doubt that 3ml is enough since IV would be constant. Unless you have other non-vacinnated dogs, there is no need to dissinfect. If the pup survives it will never get parvo again.

Answer 4

Very sadly, unless they've had a big breakthrough in the treatment of Parvo, your pup might die. I had one puppy out of eight that had Parvo live, but she ended up with mental problems. Yes, I said mental problems. Parvo is a very deadly disease and does take it's toll. You need to go around your house and yard and wash everything down very good or it will likely happen again. Rake, sweep, burn everything that isn't nailed down. I hope your pup makes it but I have my doubts it will come out completely unscathed. The pups I tried to save all stayed with the Vet for treatment and only one made it. The one that made it would throw herself at a clear window over and over again until we would open the door and let her out. She couldn't understand that the window was there and she couldn't walk through it because she could see through it. There were many other things that proved she was mentally effected by the Parvo. I wish you the very best of luck.

Answer 5

Please note that under the present situation ( you unable to go for expansive treatment),the best you can do is to offer the pup TLC (Tender loving care).Keep him well hydrated(give him lot of fluids with electrolytes).Do not forget to warm the fluieds to body temperature.Keep him at warm place(Offer a hot water bottle or place a 60W light bulb about 12 inches above him(if it is very cold).
You have mentioned that he has vomited only once in last 5Hrs. What is his condition?Is he very dull or uncontious?
Give some broad spectrum antibiotic,and vitamin suppliment.Watch for eye conditions or nervous signs, or secondary infections.
If you suspect some more complication visit your Vet.Explain your problem to him.Most of the vets are humane and understanding.I am sure they will give you proper advise-- Money or no money.
Good luck.

Answer 6

my dog had parvo and we took her to the vet, they told us the same as your vet told you. we couldn't afford to leave her there, so he gave her IV fluids and some pills to take home. it was about $150. she now is 4 years old. so ask your vet for a cheaper medication.
good luck!!!!

Answer 7

make sure to clean up any feces around the property as parvo is highly contagious and highly fatal if not treated by proper medications. It looks like you are doing the right thing.. medication and disinfecting the house.