Parvo survival?

Question

My dog was diagnosed with parvo today, she is a miniature collie about 6 months old, it was only last night that we noticed she seemed to only want to just lay around. This morning she vomited and was still lethargic so we took her to the vet. Due to the extreme cost of treatments, we are having to treat her at home, they sent us home with antibiotics, anti nausea meds, and told us to give her gatorade and chicken broth. He said it has been caught early, but still the odds I know aren't in her favor. Has anyone had a puppy survive parvo with at home treatment??

Answer 1

You aren't going to like my answer because it's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth.

Parvo is a virus. The vet did not give you any "treatment" for Parvo. Antibiotics only help to prevent secondary infections, they do not treat Parvo. It's like you having the flu. There are things you can do to alleviate the symptoms and make it easier on your body, but there isn't a "cure." The only real treatment for Parvo is serum, which is taken from the blood of a dog that has Parvo antibodies.

That said, it is not impossible for your dog to survive. It depends on the strength and basic health of the dog, and how well you can keep up the supportive care. One of the most critical things with Parvo is to keep the dog hydrated, and when the vomiting and diarrhea are in full swing that will be difficult to do without an IV.

I will also point out that, at six months old, your dog should have already had a full series of Parvo vaccinations, and if it had it wouldn't be sick now. The vaccinations would have been a lot cheaper and easier than getting her through the Parvo now will be. If she does make it, I hope you will take her back for the rest of her vaccines.

Answer 2

Survival rate is very low even when on IV antibiotics/food/water. The fact that she is an older puppy is in her favor as she may have developed some imunity. At six months, she should have had a series of three shots for parvo (and others) by now. If so, her odds are increased greatly. Older (non-puppies) dogs generally survive and often the owners do not even notice that they have it but for pups, it is very bad news. Still, never give up hope! I had a six-week old puppy that got sick the day I brought him home with distempter and he's now five years old and healthy.

Answer 3

My mother took in a stray when I was 8 years old. She had Parvo or at least the symptoms showed the very next day. She was treated at the Vet and survived. I don't know the truth behind this next part as I was young and my memory might be blurred but it's something to check into. Years later she brought home a lab puppy who we were totally in love with and she came down with Parvo after having her for quite a while (months, maybe a year?). She did not survive but we were told (this I don't know to be fact) that the parvo virus was in our back yard from where our other dog had done her business while infected years ago and our lab unfortunately dug it up to make it air born again. I wasn't even aware there were vaccines for this until reading these posts so maybe it's a non issue if you vaccinate future pets. Just thought I would say it's not hopeless but at least check with a vet before bringing home another puppy. Good luck to you and your friend.

Answer 4

I am soooo sorry to hear this I do know what you are going through I have a 10 week old chihuahua puppy that is recovering from parvo he spent 5days at the vet he came home today and is doing very well. but he and I went through 5 days of hell. the vet bill was high but not too bad I guess around 400.00

your dog needs to be at the vets if there is any way you can afford it some vets will let you pay it out mine let me post date a couple of checks so call around and find a vet that will work with you.

if you can't do that then call the vet and ask him to show you how to do sub q fluids most vets will.
pedialite is good but doesnt work if the dog can't keep it down.

but keep trying I have heard of dogs that have pulled through with home treatment.

good luck and I hope your puppy survives this horrible virus

Answer 5

We picked up a stray dog who had Parvo, he survived it, he was taken care in our home too. I can't stress enough how important the yearly shots are. Distemper, Parvo and Rabies shots are a must have. You need to check your dog for heart-worms too. There is an over the counter repellent you can use on the dogs neck, it is against ticks, fleas and mosquito's.
Mosquito's cause heart worm disease.

Answer 6

I have not known any puppies to survive from home treatment, but that doesn't mean much. What is critical is that your puppy stays hydrated and nourished. This is hard to do at home or at the vet clinic. Also your puppy's immune system is very susceptible right now, you need to be careful not to track anything into your puppy's environment that could expose him to other illnesses. At the clinic we keep them in a quarantine and use products similar to bleach to soak our shoes in before stepping into the puppy's room. Also if you have other puppy's you don't want to get them sick by bring the parvo to them. If at anytime you feel your puppy is getting worse, call a vet immediately. The Parvo Virus is no laughing matter! Good luck, I will keep you in my prayers.

Answer 7

I rescued my dog from the hospital I work @, she was there in the hospital being treated for parvo.The owners didn't want to spend the $ to keep her in the hospital (they definitely had the $, she had just had a litter of 11 puppies that they told me they would sell for $800 a piece).They agreed that I could keep her & she was on IV fluids for 6 days, then she had a feeding tube placed & I fed her thru that for 7 more days.My dog would not have survived without all the medical care.3 years later she is very healthy & happy, I hope your dog survives this horrible virus.

Answer 8

Yes my mother in law is on a fixed income, vet gave same things to her, her grandchildren stay up around the clock in shifts looking out for her dog. You really have to do exactly what the vet tells you and call back if any trouble. But she has a 5 yr old strong beagle today! It will be a long and tiring road but hopefully worth it . Good Luck and hug that puppy for me!

Answer 9

I have just successfully nursed my 5 month old puppy from parvo. He was up to date on shots. I can be done. I took him to the vet an they tested him came back positive. Gave me a breakdown on the bill. $6400 and a 50/50 chance. Um yeah I think not.. So I took him home they didn't offer me any meds or iv's. well this chick isn't dumb. So I was up for 4 days living on 4 hrs of sleep a day. I used 2 tbs. pepto bis, pedialite 2 tbs every hr for the 1st 2 days then bought parvaid and virbactra plus gave him that orally then switched to enemas every hr. gross but I would do it didn't phase me one bit. After 5 days my boy is eating baby food( beef with broth) and drinking Gatorade.. It can be done. You have to be dedicated and willing to do what it takes.

Answer 10

no,good luck,you'll both need it.But I did hand raise a puppy with a decent cleft pallet.She's 2 years old now.So nothing is impossible.