Parvo Virus is a threat that needs to be considered in pups. This terrible infection presents in two common forms:
Cardiac or Intestinal.
In either form, vomiting, fever, diarrhea (with blood and usually an extremely foul odor), loss of appetite and lethargy are commonly seen.
Early treatment is essential. The longer you wait, the lower the animal’s chances of survival.
Intestinal parvo can present in any age dog, but symptoms will usually be more severe in pups. Loss of appetite, lethargy or depression, vomiting/diarrhea (there may be blood) and upon exam, a low white count in the blood panel.
What surprises most people is that there is no cure for parvo. There is actually no cure for any virus (human or animal); however, treatment for secondary infections (often bacterial, but could be fungal/parasites) with focused medical support and immune system care may get the animal through it.
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=&A=589&SourceID and
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1556&articleid=467
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If you don’t have a thermometer specifically for animal use, you can convert the current ‘people’ plastic digital thermometer right now. You can always pick up another people thermometer tomorrow, but at this moment, you’re going to take your companion’s temp.
Put a dab of KY Jelly or even petroleum jelly at the tip. In a pinch, a bit of cooking oil will do. Make sure the thermometer is ‘on’ and insert it about 1” into the anus, ever so gently and while soothing them, keeping things calm.
Normal temps for both dogs and cats are between 100.5 and 102.5
Above 102.5 but below 103.5 can probably be watched at home; however, anything over that really should be evaluated by a vet. At least put a call into your vet for further advice which he/she will be better able to give you since they have a record of your individual companion and know the latest physical/health history.
To Reduce Fever: Never Tylenol/acetaminophen and Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, etc) - these should never be administered to a dog.
Just one (200 mg) pill can cause ulcers in a 10lb dog; more than that can lead to kidney failure. This medication can be fatal even in low doses, so please take extra precautions at keeping it out of your dog’s reach and never consider giving your animal this pain reliever or to control fever.
Dogs tolerate simple (acetylsalicylic acid) aspirin products (offered only on occasion; they may cause stomach upset or ulcers if given too frequently, plus they are a blood thinner, so it may completely inappropriate in some animals). For the most part aspirin products should not be given more than once in a 24 hour period and never longer than 3 days without a blood chemistry done to be sure there’s no internal damage being done.
An 8 lb dog would generally be given ½ - 1 baby aspirin (40-80 mg).
A 16 lb dog should get only ¼ of an adult (320-325 mg) aspirin.
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The guideline below recommends no water, but since your pup is showing signs of dehydration, I hesitate to support that recommendation. If you can get him to take some water, children's Pedialyte or even Gatorade, chicken broth, etc. right now - without vomiting - I'd try to do it. You might want to offer just a couple tablespoons at a time - every 20-30 minutes.
Other than that - I'll include the guideline as it's printed
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Placerville (California) Vet
offers this advice when there is no fever and the vomiting has been less than 24 hours:
1. Withdraw food and water until the dog has gone six hours without an episode.
(If vomiting continues more than 24 hours, lethargy or fever develops, seek medical attention without further delay)
2. Introduce just one or two tablespoons of water every 15 minutes or so. If the dog can keep it down after a couple hours, try increasing the amount of water. When you’re sure the dog is maintaining, try offering some plain chicken broth or even Jell-O.
Once the dog goes 12 hours without vomiting you can begin introducing bland foods; however, if the vomiting begins again, go back to #1.
3. Bland diet introduction will include boiled chicken and rice (no skin and skim off all fat). About ½ cup of meat with 1 ½ cups rice and some of the broth. You can also use boiled or baked potato instead of rice.
- only offer a couple tablespoons of this mixture/soup at a time -
Remember, if the vomiting begins again, it’s back to #1.
4. The next day, increase the amount of single feedings and gradually add some of the dog’s regular food. You should still spread the feedings out into four or five meals throughout the day rather than the typical one or two.
You have to make sure the dog maintains on this for 24 hours. A couple spoons of food every hour or two.
Keep him comfortable, warm and please - a vet is really important.
Let me know how you both make out ok? Though a few continents away, we are still there for you
Own Animal Care & Rescue
Animal Rescue&Care Org Owner; Animal Care author; Animal Behavior Consults.;Cert. Avian Specialist;