My puppy dog is sick, i think he's infected with the parvo virus, please help, what should i do?

Question

I've waited too long to have him vaccinated, he is 4 month old already, he's breed is mixed maltese and shetsu. He is very playfull and full of life before, now its the opposite. Everybody in our house is worried that he's not gonna make it.

Answer 1

Get the pup to your vets. What are you waifting for. If he's sick with Parvo then your vet is the only one who can help treat your pup.

Answer 2

Definitely take him to the vet. Parvo is pretty serious and can go either way, with vet care and fluids it's possible the puppy could get better. It's a little expensive. We got a puppy a little over 4 years ago, we had proof that the dog had been vaccinated before we got it, but apparently, the injection didn't work. It was pretty touch and go for a while, but after two days at the vet's clinic and $205 we were able to bring the puppy home. That same puppy is now a little over four years old and doing very well. You'd never know she was so sick! It treatment is worth it. I hope your dog gets better!

Answer 3

You fail to mention the symptoms and who did the vaccination. Parvovirus is a canine viral infection affectubg puppies much more than adult dogs. The virus grows in rapidly dividing cells, which, of course, a puppy will have (as he's rapidly growing). The intestinal lining has the biggest concentration of rapidly dividing cells in a puppy's body. The virus attacks and kills these cells, causing diarrhea (often bloody), depression and suppression of white blood cells -- which come from another group of rapidly dividing cells. In very young puppies it can infect the heart muscle and lead to "sudden" death.


Puppies are especially prone to it because they have an immature immune system. Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite. Secondary symptoms appear as severe gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and bloody diarrhea. The diarrhea is particularly foul smelling and is sometimes yellow in color. Parvo can also attack a dog's heart causing congestive heart failure. This complication can occur months or years after an apparent recovery from the intestinal form of the disease. Puppies who survive parvo infection usually remain somewhat un-healthy and weak for life.

If you have any of the above signs, your pup may have contracted parvo.

HOWEVER, if the poor guy is just lethargic and not eating, he may simply have a cold. I have two pups. One caught two colds this year, which caused him to be lethargic. The first cold he recovered within a day. The second required an antibiotic shot and antibiotics at home. He even had classic "chills/fever" with that cold. He recovered very nicely from that and is his normal self.

My other dog never had colds, but his stomach is very sensitive to food changes. So slight dietary changes would cause him to get nasty diarrhea. Therefore, be sure to give the same food to your pup every day.

My point is that other things can cause lethargy or upset stomach. But you also didn't mention how long your pup has been ill. If it's only been a day, call your vet and follow his/her directions. If it's been more than a day, definitely take him to see your vet. Describe all symptoms well. Hopefully it's not parvo, but if it is, he will need veterinary care.

I cannot stress immediate medical treatment enough if your dog has parvo. Without intense treatment, your pup will die of dehydration. Treatment generally consists of IV or sub-cutaneous fluids and antibiotics. There is no cure. Veterinarians can only try to keep the dog alive by preventing dehydration and loss of proteins. But with proper treatment, about 80% of pups will survive.

I wish you and your the best! And, for all future dogs, please start the vaccinations by 6-8 weeks of age and do not let them out in parks or public areas where dogs are until at least the second round of vaccinations (so your dog can build up immunity).

Answer 4

Take him to the vet and have him tested. The test for parvo only takes 9 minutes and is not expensive.
Vaccinating him at this point is not an option, and would be unsafe to do so, euthenasia is alos not a reasonable otion at this point.

What are his symptoms?

Parvo is a major G.I. infection cause vomiting and diarrhea. Treatment consist mostly of sustaining the dog as there is no true treatment. The vet will withold all food and water, profvide fluids either I.V. or subcutaneously, provide anti-emetics, and I'V. antibiotics such as cefazolin.

Parvo is not always deadly, and it all depends on how early treatment is started. Get him tested to find out what you are dealing with.


Good luck

Answer 5

He must be treated by a vet at this point. If he's not sick with parvo and no fever he can be vaccinated most likely. He could have eaten something or anything. does he have blood in his feces, odor, vomiting? Several strains of parvo going around so as others have suggested take to the vet immediately.

Answer 6

Take Him To The Vet!

Answer 7

You need to take him to the vet as soon as possible. There are treatments for parvo, but it is expensive and [depending on how strong your dog is] not always successful.

I wish you luck, and I hope you've learn a lesson. There are veterinarians and vaccinations for a reason, they aren't just blowing smoke.

Answer 8

Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do for you on here. The best thing you could do now is take him to the Vet and get him checked out.

I hope all goes well~!

Answer 9

Take the dog to the vet immediately, please. How do you know you've waited too long to have him vaccinated? Let a vet decide the best course of action. For the dog's sake and your own peace of mind, make the call.

Answer 10

Well you should immediately get him to a vet. If parvo is the case they may have to euthanize him. They is no cure for parvo and it is unfornunately only usually in puppies.