Home Remedy for Parvo

By isak, June 21, 2009

Canine Parvovirus (“parvo”) attacks rapidly reproducing cells — such as those that line the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, lymph nodes and heart.

Parvo is highly contagious and is transmitted from dog to dog via contaminated droplets and feces. It can be carried on the dog’s hair and feet, as well as on contaminated cages, shoes and other objects. Dogs of all ages can be affected, but the highest rate of death occurs in puppies less than five months of age.

Dogs that develop parvo will show symptoms 3-10 days after being exposed. Symptoms include: vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea (usually bloody), and fever.

The biggest needs in parvo treatment are fluid and electrolyte replacement so the dog stays hydrated, and medication to control diarrhea and vomiting. Diarrhea and vomiting can quickly dehydrate a dog.

Top 10 facts of the Parvovirus:

1 – The Canine Parvovirus is world wide.
2 – Parvo is a highly contagious and deadly disease.
3 – Even fully-vaccinated puppies are susceptible to the infection.
4 – Parvo mostly affects dogs under 1 year of age but an average of 6 weeks old.
5 – Bleach is the only product to kill the Parvovirus in the environment (with the exception of clinically tested products used to clean kennels).
6 – The virus incubates in the glands of the puppy for 3 to 15 days before showing symptoms.
7 – Once the incubation period is over the Parvovirus will work its way into the intestinal tract.
8 – After the Canine Parvovirus is in the intestinal tract the Parvo will start eating away at the velli and lining of the intestinal walls. Therefore bloody stools will be apparent.
9 – The puppy will either pass away from a lack of hydration or low glucose levels (blood sugars).
10 – If treating with Sub-Q fluid, do not over hydrate after the puppy has pulled through the worst of the virus as it will put a strain on the heart, cause edema, and may develop an abscess.

Are Some Dog Breeds More Susceptible?

According to The Merck Veterinary Manual, 8th ed., it appears that some breeds, most notably the Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, and Labrador Retrievers are at an increased risk for this disease. Conversely, Toy Poodles and Cockers appear to be at a reduced risk for contracting this disease. It is important to remember, however, that any breed can get Parvovirus.

TWO MAIN SYNDROMES OF PARVO:

1. Diarrhea Syndrome (Enteritis)
After an incubation period of 7-14 days, the first signs of parvo are severe depression with loss of appetite, followed by vomiting. The dog will appear to be in extreme pain with a tucked-up abdomen. Within 24-hours, a high fever develops (up to 106 degrees F) and profuse diarrhea that is frequently bloody. Mouth inflammation can also occur. Almost no other canine disease exhibits these symptoms.

2. Cardiac Syndrome (Myocarditis)
This form of canine parvo affects the heart muscle, especially in puppies less than 3 months of age. Puppies with this form stop nursing, cry out and gasp for air. Death can occur suddenly or in a few days. Puppies that recover will sometimes develop a chronic form of congestive heart failure that leads to death in weeks or months.

The success of treatment for parvo depends on the form and the severity of the CPV (Canine Parvo Virus) infection as well as the age of the dog. In puppies that are between 6- and 20-weeks of age, there is a 1-4 week interval when they are most vulnerable despite being vaccinated. This is because the maternal antibodies they received through their mother’s milk are declining and therefore no longer protective but still interfere with the vaccine.

Dogs that recover from parvo are immune to the disease.

How is Parvo Treated?

There is no treatment specifically for the Parvovirus at this time. Treatment is supportive care, which includes any or all of the following:

  • Oral electrolyte fluids (ex: Pedialyte) – if the case is mild and the animal isn’t vomiting
  • Subcutaneous (SQ) or intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain hydration to counter the extreme fluid losses from vomiting and diarrhea that are so typical with this disease. Many vets will provide this so you can administer this at home. It hydrates by bypassing the stomach.
  • Anti-vomiting/nausea medications – to prevent further damage from vomiting and to keep the patient comfortable as possible.
  • Antibiotics – because the virus has potential to slough the intestinal tract, antibiotics help protect against secondary infection.
  • Blood or Plasma transfusions – to replace protein loss, provide antibodies, help with anemia.

For some perspective: a healthy dog drinks about 1/2 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. So a 10 lb dog would normally drink about 1 cup of water each day. If your pup has vomiting and diarrhea, the amount needed increases to make up for the loss.

Is There a Home Remedy?

To follow is a home remedy I stumbled on for treating canine parvo on the internet and wanted to reprint it in case anyone may need it. It addresses the biggest needs in a treatment: fluid and electrolyte replacement, and medication to control diarrhea and vomiting. Also read through the comments below this post. Many people have kindly shared what has worked for them.

This is an extremely hardy virus. It resists most household cleaners. The best disinfectant is Clorox (one part bleach to 30 parts water).. Here are some bleach alternatives.

My puppy had Parvo, he was only 8 weeks old, and just a few pounds. I took him to the vet and realized that it would be anywhere from 600-1500 dollars to cure him, even then he may not survive. So I looked up puppy parvo on Google.com for any alternatives, I found many things that people had tried, and they said it worked, so I chose the raw eggs, children’s Pedialite, and children’s pepto method. What you will need is the following;

* Eggs (enough to last several days)
* Children’s Pepto
* Instant rice
* Hamburger
* Children’s Pedialite (or Gatorade will work also)
* A Syringe for feeding
* You might also want to get puppy training pads or newspaper

Directions
First take your dog and place him in a sterile dog cage, with the puppy pad or newspaper covering the bottom because there will be lots of throw up and lots of diarrhea. Then sterilize your whole home. I used a spray found in the pet area of WalMart, its called “Odo Ban.” It also smells really good. Then used bleach [1 part bleach to 30 parts water] on all hard floors and dog cage. After everything is clean, DO NOT let your puppy out of his/her cage until he is completely healed.

Then I took a raw egg and blended it with a fork and put it in the Syringe and force fed him. I gave him 2 tablespoons of egg and 1 tablespoon of Pedialite every 4 hours for 3 days. I also gave him the children’s pill form of Pepto 3 times a day. I cut the pill in half and put it at the back of his throat. The serving size for your puppy may be greater depending on his size. I did this for about 3 days and until he was a lot more playful, and until his diarrhea was gone. (I also changed his pad every time he went potty and sterilized his cage every time to keep the parvo contained.)

After the 3 days was up I boiled instant rice and ground up hamburger and fed him 1/4 of a cup every four hours. (try this one time and wait to see if he can hold down the solid food. If its thrown back up, go back to eggs and pedielite for 2 more days. Then try it again.) After the first day of giving them the rice (and the puppy kept it down), try soft dog food the next day. If they keep that down, then you’re good to go, give them a sterile bath and they are now free to run around and play.

Why this works
This method works because puppy’s die from being dehydrated, not from the sickness itself, the key is keeping them from throwing up and healthy while the sickness goes away. They need lots of electrolytes. The Raw eggs for Nutrition, and pepto to keep there tummy’s calm. It worked for my little boy, and I hope it works for you. He is now the happiest little thing. Don’t forget to follow up with another vet visit to make sure all is well. Keep them in the house and off the outside ground for at least a week more just so you wont spread the sickness to any other dogs. Good luck i hope this helps you 🙂 Jessica F.

P.S. My puppy is about 3 pounds, so there might me a slight change in feeding, Be sure not to over feed, were not trying to make them full, just enough to keep them alive.

Tip Source: Thrifty Fun website.

TAMIFLU FOR PARVO

A reader sent a tip suggesting that Tamiflu can be used to treat Parvo. From what I read, she is correct. Here’s more info about using Tamiflu to treat Parvo.

TESTIMONIAL FOR NEW PRODUCT

If you read through the comments below, you will see a testimonial from Angelica about a product she bought and used on her chihuahua/dachshund mix. And it worked for her! It’s called Parv-gone. I am not familiar with this product. If you are, let us know how it worked for you.

OTHER PRODUCTS

The following products have been suggested by readers.

PetAlive Parvo-K for Dogs for Canine Parvo Virus

  • Immunizes your dog against parvovirus and helps protect against it
  • Reduces symptoms of Parvo including fever and diarrhea and vomiting
  • Is a 100 percent natural blend of herbal and homeopathic ingredients/li>

Amber Technology Paxxin Digestive & Immune Support for Dogs

  • Soothe and heal the digestive system
  • Stimulate appetite
  • Calms the nervous system
  • Lubricates, soothes, and protects internal mucous membranes
  • More info on Parvaid

Companion™ Disinfectant Wipes effectively kills 99% of bacteria, virus, fungi including parvovirus, feline calicivirus, rotavirus, adenovirus type 2, hepatitis B virus and more.

  • Clean and disinfect in one step
  • Kills 99% of germs
  • Effective against parvovirus
  • Controls odors
  • Ready to use

Note: Also read through the comments below. Many people have kindly shared what has worked for them.

951 Comments

  1. Shelby says:

    My puppy is 6 weeks old, has not had its shots yet. It was eating food and drinking water earlier today but acted weak. Now it won’t eat and puked several times in its cage. I’ve been pushing the pepto and pedialite but he isn’t liking that to well. Is there anything else I can do if this is parvo?

    • isak says:

      If it is parvo, he will have bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Minus the diarrhea, maybe it is something else. You might try another food to see if he doesn’t like the food you are feeding him. You might even try Friskies Turkey cat food (canned). Dogs seem to love it.

      Given his young age, could he have eaten something when no one was looking? Did you see anything in his puke? Worms perhaps?

      If this should turn into parvo, keeping him hydrated is the most important thing you can do. A healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. More if he is vomiting or has diarrhea. Figure out how much he should have, divide it up and give it to him throughout the day.

      How much pepto are you giving him and what size is he? You may want to temper that back until you know more about what’s going on as the pepto affects the other end, too.

  2. Mari says:

    My kids took in a dog (not sure if its a puppy) that some people threw out on the streets. A couple of days ago it started showing stmptoms of parvo. Diarrhea with blood,vomiting, no energy at all and loss of appetite etc. We havent the funds to take it to a vet right away but today its been showing signs of trying to eat and drinking little by little and a little more energetic. We have been trying to care for this little guy around the clock as we all fell in love with him. Any suggestions on what else we can do for the time being until we can get proper care for him.

    • isak says:

      Congrats on your new baby and good on you for saving his life. It sounds like whatever you are doing is working, so keep it up. I recommend that you keep it up for another 5 days after you think he is completely well.

      Keeping him hydrated is the biggest thing. With diarrhea and vomiting, he is losing his liquids which his organs need to function. A good general guideline for how much water he should have is that a healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. With vomiting and diarrhea, he will need more. Next will be getting some food in him. Boiled chicken and plain white rice would be good (if he will eat it) because the rice is slower to digest, so helps to slow down diarrhea. You can add some plain canned pumpkin for fiber (helps alleviate diarrhea) and some plain yogurt (to restore good bacteria to his gut). Good luck and keep us posted.

  3. Randy says:

    my 7 wk old puppy has been vomiting clear nonfoamy every hour has diarrhea no blood no smell all this has started after his first parvo shot he also is undergoing deworming treatment we have noticed some weight loss although he drinks very little we have started forcing 3 mls every hour or water and are doing syrup on the gums to help his glucose levels besides pep-to, charcoal, and what we are currently doing is there any other home remedies we can try to get him up to his normal playful puppy self we cannot afford the bill if this is parvo or could this be a side effect of the parvo shot or de worming treatment.

    • isak says:

      It is common for puppies to have worms and one of the side effects of worms is a bloated stomach. So the weight loss might partially be related to the de-worming. If he is not eating, he will also lose weight.

      Did he also receive his first round of vaccines with the parvo vaccine? Some puppies get a bit sick from the vaccinations. They contain a modified “live” virus that their body is to fight much like your body would fight a cold. This is how they develop their immune system. The down side is that they may feel a bit lethargic, and have an upset stomach which can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. This should pass in 3-5 days.

      You might offer him Friskies Turkey cat food. For some reason, this is hard for dogs to turn down and won’t hurt them in the short run. Add some plain canned pumpkin (no spices). The pumpkin adds fiber which should firm up his bowels. You can also add some plain yogurt or other probiotic to put some good bacteria back into his gut.

      Or you might try boiled chicken and plain white rice.

      If he won’t eat, you can add some Gerber #2 Chicken and gravy baby food (make sure it’s #2; this is only chicken and water — no onions or spices) to the water you are giving him. This will give him some protein. Good luck.

  4. Worried says:

    Hello, I have two 3-month old puppies that have both been diagnosed with parvo. One puppy has stopped vomiting when he poops it looks like only water, no blood, color, or form. He is drinking a little bit on his own but will not eat, we have been spoon feeding him some puppy food and pedialight mixed together. The other puppy was on deaths door and admitted to an ICU wher she has received care for the past 4 days. The vet has let us know that they feel comfortable with her leaving. They have both been sick for about 5-6 days. So,I guess the same question would apply. how often should we make them drink and when should we introduce them back to food?

    • isak says:

      I am so sorry for what you and your puppies are going through, but thankful it seems like they are going to make it. A good general guideline for how much water they should have is that a healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If they have diarrhea or are vomiting, this amount goes up a bit. You can administer this via an oral syringe. Figure out how much they need, then divide it over the day to determine how much to give them at each point. For example, maybe you will give them liquids every other hour. Determine how much they should have in a day and divide that amount by how many times you will administer it.

      Some vets will set you up with an iv bag so you can administer the liquids under the skin. The advantage to that is that the liquids bypass the stomach and keep the organs hydrated. And that’s what you want: hydration.

      They can have small amounts of food when they want it. They will probably be quite hungry at some point, but don’t let them eat too much at a time. Again, small amounts several times a day. If they will not eat, you can add something like Gerber’s baby food #2 Chicken and gravy (it has nothing but water and chicken in the ingredients; NO ONIONS) to their water and give them that for the protein.

      Continue whatever you are doing for 5-7 past when you think they are better just to make sure. Good luck and let us know what works for you.

  5. S.j says:

    He started throwing up thursday, he was still eating but later that night he stopped so friday he stopped eating all together. But he was still drinking water. And yes he has been de wormed but when he pooped it was blood not really a smell well i let him outside so i cant smell it. His gums are pale and when he throws up its more like spit up.

    • isak says:

      How’s he doing today? There are ideas for how to treat him in the post above as well as in the comments where people have shared what has worked for them. Keeping him hydrated is the most important thing. A good general guideline is that a healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. A bit more if he is vomiting and has diarrhea.

  6. S.j says:

    My 6 month old pitbull has parvo , but the good this is i dont have to force him to drink water but i do have to syringe feed him pedialyte i even put some in his water he is still wagging his tail are these good signs he is gonna be okay…. when he poops there is blood but its like projectile but only when i have let him rest for like a hour or 2 then i let him outside his is throwing up less tho which is making me happy because at first he would throw up every 2 mins

    • isak says:

      Are you sure it is parvo? Could he have gotten into something that is making his stomach upset? Has he been de-wormed? I ask only because I don’t know how long he was throwing up and how long he has had diarrhea. Usually with parvo dogs won’t eat or drink on their own. Is there a lot of blood in his poops? Does it smell REALLY bad?

      If it is parvo, you want to be sure he is hydrated and that he takes it easy until he stops throwing up and having diarrhea. Whatever schedule you have him on for the pedialyte, continue it for about 5 days after he is feeling better. If he is eating and drinking on his own and he is playful, these are good signs.

  7. Jane says:

    My pets anus has turned to red colour may be due to diarrhea which she had till yesterday,i think it itches her a lot,can i clean her outer anus with an antiseptic solution

  8. Jane says:

    As i read in the comments i provided my puppies with fluid containing glucose and electrol now one puppy is urinatng and even controlled feacal discharge is there,it is more active now, so is this a sign of recovery?

    • isak says:

      This sounds good. As I commented in your other note: be sure to continue any treatment they are on for about 5 days passed when you think they are feeling better so they don’t relapse. Be sure to clean your home and yard as outlined in the post… and even the bottoms of your shoes.

  9. Jane says:

    Thanks to this blog now my puppies are better then yesterday one of my puppy is shaking its tail and her eyes are back to normal size may be because its been 4 days she’s been fighting parvo. Is this a good sign?

    • isak says:

      It sounds like a good sign. Just be sure to continue any treatment they are on for about 5 days passed when you think they are feeling better so they don’t relapse. And also be sure to clean your home and yard… and even the bottoms of your shoes. Best to you all!

  10. Jane says:

    Thank you for your reply but the fluids we provide her ever 2 hours are released by diarrhea after a few minutes what can we do?

    • isak says:

      Maybe try pepto bismol — 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs every 6 hours — though the pumpkin should work as well.

  11. Jane says:

    Hi,im from india.i have lost my 4 motnth old puppy due to parvo now my other 2 puppies who are 5 months old are suffering from diorrea and dehydration,its been 3 days we are providing them only glucose ,but one of the puppy’s body is turning slightly cold.what can i do so that both of them may survive?pls help

    • isak says:

      I am so sorry for what is happening to you and your puppies. A decreasing temperature is concerning. Do you have a heating pad you can put this puppy on that will generate the heat they cannot? Also make sure you are hydrating them often. This is the biggest concern. The average dog needs between half an ounce to one ounce of water per pound of body weight in a given day. If your puppy weighs 20 pounds, for instance, he’d need between 10 and 20 ounces of water on a daily basis in order to stay hydrated. If they have diarrhea, this amount increases due to the loss through diarrhea.

      There are other suggestions in the comments on this page you can try as well, but hydrating them is the biggest concern at this point. Make sure you are providing enough and in regular intervals. This is a tough virus, so stay diligent and don’t give up on them. We are wishing you well.

  12. Tara says:

    Hello my puppy just started showing signs of parvo we have forced him to drink water, he often keeps it down however he can’t keep food down. I was wondering if there was anything we could do at home to make him stronger and beat this? He has not pooped blood and or had diarrhea.

    • isak says:

      Without the bloody diarrhea, maybe this isn’t parvo. What are the symptoms you are seeing? How long has he had these symptoms? If he is a puppy, perhaps he got into something he shouldn’t have and has an upset stomach?

  13. Jonathan says:

    We have an 8 week old chihuhua he wasn’t eating on his own for like 3 days but wasn’t vomiting and poops without blood. We went to the vet and the doctor said that our chi was positive on parvovirus, we confined our chi there for two days and the 2nd day our chi pooped with blood, and we decided to take him home and do home remedies since he wasn’t vomiting yet. Do you think it’s a good idea? And do you have any suggestions? Please, thank you

    • isak says:

      I’m so sorry for your news.

      Often vets will send you home with some meds — including anti-nausea meds. Sometimes they will also send you home with a kit so you can administer liquids via iv. The kit for the liquid iv is a great thing to have if your pup stops drinking or vomits a lot because it administers liquid under the skin. It bypasses the usual stomach and goes straight to the organs. Keep this in mind should your baby begin to vomit and stops drinking water.

      Keeping hydrated is the most important thing. Without proper hydrating, the organs begin to fail. In general, a healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If he is vomiting or has diarrhea, this amount increases because of the loss. You can add some Gerber #2 Chicken and Gravy baby food (it has no onions) to his liquid for some added nutrition (if he will tolerate it) or even use pedialyte for the added electrolytes.

      Also read through the comments for suggestions other people have used.

      Develop a schedule and stick to it. Adjust it as needed. Puppies have very little in the way of immunity at this point, so this is a hard time for him, but don’t give up. He may stop eating and lose weight, get lethargic and look terrible, but don’t give up.

      I think dogs can benefit from home treatment as the stress level is lower and you are there. Best to you both!

  14. Carla says:

    Just wanted to say thanks for the treatment advice! Our puppy has made amazing improvements since yesterday when we implemented the baby food, yogurt, and pumpkin! After syringe feeding around the clock, today she is nibbling some food on her own and has much more energy!!! Can’t express my thanks enough!

    • isak says:

      That’s the best thing I have heard today! I am so happy for you both! Thank you for sharing the good news.

  15. Carla says:

    Our 6 mo. old retriever mix is on day 4 of fighting for her life with Parvo. We are doing pedialyte and some meds, but she isn’t eating anything on her own. She has no strength but she has stopped vomiting. What now, she won’t touch the rice mixture?

    • isak says:

      Great to hear that she is still fighting the fight, but sorry to hear she has to go through this. The most important thing is keeping her hydrated. If she has stopped vomiting, maybe you can add some food to her liquid regiment — something like Gerber Step 2 Chicken and gravy baby food. It contains just chicken and water — no ONIONS — and it’s pretty bland, but will give her some protein. It’s pretty much liquid, so you could give it to her via oral syringe. I’m sure her stomach feels terrible and that’s why she doesn’t want to eat. You can add some plain yogurt to the baby food to put good bacteria back into her gut that has been lost via diarrhea and vomiting. And you can even add a bit of plain canned pumpkin for the fiber. This will help firm up her bowels. Good luck to you both!

  16. Nikki says:

    My male pup started acting funny yesterday. Today woke up and he has blood dripping from his rear end. Isn’t wanting to eat will drink but he has had his shots and has been wormed.
    He just is laying around no energy. When giving him meds and trying to give him raw eggs he spits it out and I can’t get it down! Heeellppp. I can’t afford the vet but I love my fur baby!! ?

    • isak says:

      Does he have diarrhea? Or is he leaking blood from his rectum? If he doesn’t have diarrhea and vomiting, then there might be something other than parvo going on. It could be anal polyps, rectal prolapse, anal gland issues or other rectal injury. Is he constipated? Have you changed his food recently?

      What shots has he had and when? How old is he? What meds are you giving him? What de-wormer did you use?

      In most cases, bleeding does not occur due to any serious problem. In case the dog is also experiencing other symptoms such as severe diarrhea, listlessness, nose bleeds, bruising or patches on the skin and heavy and persistent bleeding, it is essential to visit a vet immediately.

  17. Maria says:

    Please help! I am really confused!
    I have been reading this blog to gather information about the parvo virus.
    Last friday my dog started to vomit his food in the afternoon until he only vomits white foam. We took him to the vet and he prescribed many things, powdered dextrose , electrolytes,for diarhea and vomiting. He instructed not to give the puppy (14 months old) with food and water for 2 days. The prescription includes a combination of the dextrose powder and electrolytes that is 2 ml/hour.
    After 24 hours of followng the course , he was starting to drink water but gave him only a little. He was looking for food on Saturday afternoon too, but we did not feed him as per instruction. That saturday night also, he was active and started biting me, so he has energy. I am not totally aware of the situation that he needs nutrition to fight the virus.
    Unfortunately, on Sunday morning after giving him his vomit meds, he starting puking it out, and became lethargic, i panicked so we took him to the vet and the vet recommends him to be admitted, i obliged because i dont want my puppy to get dehydrated.
    He was doing fine with the IV, however the vet does not want us to feed the dog until he stops vomiting. My question is how can he get nutrition if no food forced to his stomach? But the vet insist to cure the vomit first before food because he will just puked it out. But my little puppy, does not puked all the time but only a little foamy white substance. I was there visiting him and checking him. most of the time he vomits in the morning and pooped a little. But hes been in the Vet for 4 days now and still has not stop the vomit thing. Every time he vomits they will reset their time to 24 hours again before my puppy can be forced feed. My puppy was a fighter, but he is really thin now. I wanted to take him home and just take care of him, i felt that they are not taking care of him round the clock.
    My real question here, is it really necessary to cure the vomit before he can start getting food, through forced feeding? How can he get nutrition to strengthen the immune system to combat the virus?
    Oh my God. Somebody enlightened me please.

    • isak says:

      The vet is right that he may just vomit what he eats, however the meds the vet is giving him to help with the vomiting should start working soon. The most important thing is hydration as without hydration, his organs will fail. And if your pup hydrates himself by drinking water, he may just vomit the water back up. So he will not be getting any hydration. The IV fluids bypass the stomach and hydrate the organs more directly. It’s really the best way to hydrate him. In the meanwhile, your pup will lose weight until he can hold food down. They cannot provide round the clock care like you can, but unless they will teach you how to administer the iv fluids at home and provide you the same meds they are giving him, he is probably better staying with them. Good luck and don’t give up. This is a nasty virus, but it is believed that when they get over it, their chances of getting it again are slim.

  18. Krystal says:

    You said your baby was only a few pounds so how much and how often would you suggest to give a 25 pound 3 1/2 month old puppy with parvo?

    • isak says:

      I would multiply everything by 3-4 from the DIRECTIONS section for your puppy. You might start at 3x, then work up to 4x. Good luck.

  19. Mona says:

    My puppy’s stool started to change, his stool was still a bit solid but had a little bit of watery blood in it I think it is parvo because it smelled really strong. I’ve been giving him 1tbs coconut water, 2tbs raw egg and 1/4 of children pepto pill every 4 hours since 2 days ago. He seems to be doing good but can’t seem to stand any hard smells like Clorox, perfumes, food he starts to gag and sneezes and walks away to try to keep his fluids down he does not like being alone so I’m trying to keep him as close as possible. He just started to eat this on his own today I think he understands that it is for his own good my question is how long should I wait to introduce solid food? also He hasn’t had any stools this day is it because he is not having solid food?

    • isak says:

      Keep doing what you are doing for 2 more days, then introduce his solid food slowly over 3-4 days. He may not have much of anything firm enough in his to produce a stool.

  20. Lokesh Advi says:

    Hi I hav 35 day Rottwelier puppy he used to vomit and diarrhea I hav took him to vet they started treatment of giving trips and injection for 2 days bt there is no improvement what I can do by giving medicen I can start treat in home

    • isak says:

      Parvo is really hard on young puppies because their immune system is not very developed yet. Because of that, improvement is slow to come. The biggest issue is keeping him hydrated. See if your vet will send you home with iv liquids that you administer under his skin. This way of giving liquids bypasses the stomach and there is less chance to lose liquids by vomiting. Vets will often prescribe anti-nausea drugs as well. Also get an oral syringe from the vet that you can use to feed him.

      Read through the comments on this page. There are many ideas that can help you. Make a schedule for feeding and giving liquids around the clock and stick with it. As I said, you may not see improvement for several days, but don’t give up. He is very sick and he may look miserable, but stick with your schedule. It could be several days until you see him starting to feel a bit better. How long it will take depends on how soon you caught it and how well he responds. Good Luck.

  21. Philippa says:

    Hi . We are going though a very upsetting time . I bought a puppy last Thursday, she came back to join our family of 3 other goldendoodles . She showed signs of lethargy on day one , we put it down to new place etc . On Sunday we rushed her in to vet hospital with severe diarrhoea , she tested positive for parvo and is intensive care , had blood transfusions , plasma , you name it I’m demanding they through at her . Yesterday our 12 week old pup was throughing up so I rushed him in , who showed a negetave result . Sadly, that’s commen , he’s now got diarrhoea . Both these pups have had no vaccines yet so they are very vunrubale . My 15 month old dog is also being sick . She has had her first jabs but not her yearly booster . I’m going to try and treat the other 2 at home for a while . So far we’ve been using goats milk , white fish and mashed potato. But if they don’t eat we haven’t been forcing . I know need to get a plan together , for a very bumpy ride. Any advice on alternative remedies would be appreciated

    • isak says:

      Yes, you are definitely going through an upsetting time. And I am so sorry.

      The biggest issue with parvo is dehydration. A good general guideline is that a healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. With vomiting and diarrhea, this amount goes up because of the loss. Some vets will provide you what you need to administer liquids under the skin. The advantage of doing it this way is that you avoid the stomach and more liquid finds its way to your pups’ organs where it is most needed. If this is not possible, you need to determine how much they need per day and divide that into smaller amounts that are administered maybe every half hour or hour. You might consider giving them something like pedialyte for the extra electrolytes.

      Next is nutrition. Many vets will prescribe antibiotics and anti-nausea meds. Your vet already knows what you are working with, so perhaps you can be provided with those for the home pups. As for food, you want to serve food that is as bland as possible so it does not upset their stomach. The idea behind rice is that it is slower to digest and helps to make bowel movements firmer. However if you need to force feed them, what you are using may be easier to syringe into them. You can add some plain canned pumpkin (no spices) to their food. The fiber helps with the diarrhea.

      You also want to keep them confined and keep this area very clean. And clean the rest of the house, including the bottom of your shoes.

      If you read through the comments on this page, people have submitted things that have helped them. Above all, develop a plan and stick with it. This is a rough virus and it will take constant care for several days, but be diligent and don’t give up. They may look sad and thin and lethargic, but hang in there and do the best you can for them. Good luck.

  22. Jessica Travis says:

    I just had a dog pass away and Im not sure if she had parvo or if it could have been something else . She was coughing, trouble breathing, lethargic, and rapid weight loss. Though she had no vomiting or diarrhea. She was also pregnant, which we were not aware of due to the weight loss. She had 10 puppies that we’re all born dead. She passed afew days after giving birth. Any advise of what may have caused her death? I also have other dogs as well that I’m worried about.

    • isak says:

      I am so sorry for your loss. What a sad circumstance.

      From your description, I don’t think this was parvo. The missing element is vomiting and diarrhea.

      In dogs, a cough can be an indicator of a number of different health concerns – some more serious than others. A few of the causes include: kennel cough (usually contracted from other infected dogs); something caught in their throat; pneumonia; heart worms; chronic bronchitis; tracheal collapse. From your description, it almost sounds like she had pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia in addition to coughing include loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, lethargy and difficulty breathing.

      Any problem she was having would almost certainly be complicated by being pregnant as the puppies would have drawn on her limited strength pulling her down and, eventually, them, too. Truly sad all the way around.

      Keep an eye on your other dogs to see if any start coughing. If they do, have your vet look at them. Your vet can determine precisely what is causing the problem and prescribe the antibiotic that corresponds to the problem. Not all antibiotics are the same — some work on bacterial issues and some on fungal issues, etc.

      Again, I am sorry for your loss. Good luck with the others.

  23. sucharita says:

    I rescue a street puppyony 2month old.when she refuce to eat and doind whitish pop 3-4time in a day so icall a doctor and he told me that my puppy suffer from diherea.i force fully gave her ors water.some doctor pepscribe medicine.after 3day her pop become little tight.but now she not a play full puppy.and i saw white liquid realice from my puppy rectum area.she not vomititing yet.im so scared .plz tell me what to do.

    • isak says:

      I don’t know how long you have had your puppy, but because she was a street dog, the white poop could be from something she ate to survive while she was on the street. For example, eating paper or paper products that perhaps held food before they were discarded could be the source of the white poop. If a dog’s diet contains too much calcium or bones, freshly passed stools are often white and have a chalky texture. Again, perhaps she found discarded bones to eat to survive.

      From your description, it does not sound like parvo. Parvo poop contains blood.

      You need to get her on a regular feeding schedule. To start with, you might give her 3 small meals a day for about 4-5 days, then make the middle meal a bit smaller and the first and last meal a bit bigger. We are trying to slowly stop the middle meal, but because she scavenged for food on the street, she is probably used to eating all day whatever she can find. Add one teaspoon of canned, plain pumpkin (no spices) per every 10 pounds of her weight with her meals. This will make her poop firm up just right.

      You also want to make sure she is not getting anything else to eat but what you feed her. Once you get her regular, you will want to de-worm her. Worms can affect her poop and her overall well-being, too.

      Something to remember about puppies is that they need sleep — lots of it, just like babies. Your puppy will need about 18-19 hours of sleep in every 24 hours. So only expect 4 to 5 hours of being awake and only about an hour at a time. If you have not had her long, she may be exhausted from what her life used to be.

      Congrats on your new puppy. She is a lucky girl to have you!

  24. Warren Hernandez says:

    i think my pupy have parvo . where can i buy the pedialite? but i have a water soluable powder energy supplement for dog. and i give him antibiotics 2x a day . is that okay mam ? and any recommendation for may pupy? i feel sad right now . pls give hope . thanks

    • isak says:

      You can buy pedialite wherever baby food is sold. You want to be sure he gets plenty to drink. A healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If your puppy is vomiting and has diarrhea, then you need to administer more than that to make up for what he is losing by throwing up. You will need an oral syringe and set up a schedule where you give him some liquids every hour. Same for food. If he won’t eat on his own, you will have to force feed him. If he won’t eat on his own, you can mash the food up in a blender where you can also add some pedialite so it can be given via the syringe or read through this post and the comments for other food ideas. There are some great tips in the comments, too, so look through them.

      And good luck. This is a tough virus on puppies, but stick with it. Don’t give up. This can take a week of constant work, but it can work.

  25. Melissa says:

    My puppy is showing all the symptoms of patio except for the diarrhea. She’s vomited only once early in the morning. She’s drinking water on her own and she are a little bit of egg. What concerns me is that she has a lot of pain and she’s non-stop crying. Is there anything I can give her for her belly aches ?

    • isak says:

      As a puppy, maybe she ate something she should not have eaten and it is stuck. If she is crying in pain, you should have her checked by a vet asap. The lack of diarrhea suggests this may be something else that could be easily fixed. If it is a blockage, it should be checked immediately. It could become serious.

  26. Jenny says:

    My puppy is 10 weeks old. He is rottwielier/boxer mix. He is up to date on vaccines. Last two nights ago he threw up once. Yesterday once. Then I noticed he was becoming lethargic and diarrhea (only once). I immideatley took him to the vet where he was diagnosed with parvo. I was devastated. I cant afford hospitalization. I found this site and this was all stuff I already had at home. I came home. Steralized his cage and placed him in it. I started force feeding pedialite and egg and gave the pepto. Other than the initial 4 times he threw up and the two episodes of diarrhea he is holding what Im force feeding down. He has yet to throw it up. Is it possible I caught it early enough? And the fact he has had 2 of the 5 parvo shots, increase his chance of surviving?

    • isak says:

      He sounds like a handsome young man!

      Yes, you may have caught it in time and the shots he has had have already started to stimulate his immune system. But don’t quit what you are doing until he has been back to normal for 3-5 days. If he begins to drink on his own, watch that he doesn’t throw it up or lose extra through diarrhea. As he begins to eat on his own, slowly back off the amount you are feeding and maybe slowly switch to a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice (rice is slow to digest so helps firm bowel movements). Make your changes slowly as sometimes a diet change can cause diarrhea and you want to be sure you don’t force diarrhea on him after what he is going through.

      Best to you both. It sounds like you are on the right track. Don’t let your guard down just yet.

  27. Nicole humphrey says:

    I need help asap pls my puppy is not eaten in 3 days now i cant afford the vet so ive been googling to see how i can help he is a full blood teacup chihuahua and only almost 4 mts. Ive been giving him pedialyte and raw eggs n pepto he isnt holding any of it down more than 5 mins im terrified he will die if not hydrated n im trying so hard hes slightly moaning jus every now n then like his belly hurts i keep forcing the stuff into his mouth but he throws it right back up im not sure what to do…. Please help my lil man

    • isak says:

      Does he have diarrhea also? If so, you are right to be concerned about him getting dehydrated. Dehydration can cause his organs to fail. You need to get fluids in him. A vet can hydrate him through an iv which by-passes the stomach, yet hydrates the organs, so he would not throw this up. Maybe you can call some vets and see how much doing just that would cost. Otherwise, you need an oral syringe and set up a schedule where you give him some liquids every hour. A healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If your puppy is vomiting and has diarrhea, then you need to administer more than that to make up for what he is losing by throwing up.

      You could try a small amount of pepto bismol. The recommended dosage is 1 teaspoon for every 10 pounds. It can be offered every 6-to-8 hours. If his vomiting does not improve after 3 doses, it’s not working.

      Is it possible that he ate something that is stuck in his gut? I was wondering because you mentioned that he is moaning like his belly hurts. This could also cause the symptoms you are seeing.

  28. Erandi says:

    Hello i have a 10 week old yorkie it started today in the morning he just started to get diarrhea with a little bit of blood he drinks but doesnt want to eat he does get up and want to play but i dont know if its parvo please help

    • isak says:

      From your description, it is hard to tell. Given his young age, he could have gotten into something when no one was looking or maybe he has worms or even just an upset stomach. Try something like canned Friskies cat food (turkey flavor seems like a favorite) or even Gerber #2 Chicken baby food. The ingredients in the Gerber food are chicken and water (no onions). See if he will eat either of these. We are testing his appetite. You can add some plain canned pumpkin (no spices) to his food when you find something he will eat to help firm his stools.

      If he has parvo, he will have bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and will not eat or drink water. This will happen quickly, so keep an eye on him. Parvo is tough on young pups because they haven’t developed their immune system yet. Good luck.

  29. Macy lemon says:

    My 8 week old pitbull puppie had symptons of parvo i keep her with water and force feed her every 4 hours but she is not getting better.

    • isak says:

      Parvo is tough on puppies because they have almost no immune system yet to fight this virus. So it will take time before you see any change and it will be a gradual change. So stick with what you are doing — food and water every four hours. A healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. So make sure you are providing at least this much. If she is vomiting and has diarrhea, she will need even more.

      There are a lot of suggestions here in the comments, so read through them for more help. Good luck and our best to your baby.

  30. Erinn says:

    Hi.

    My baby red was fine all the way up till about 5 pm last evening. However, that morning he woke up and vomited a little. Just a little diarrhea here and there, no blood but baby is lethargic and won’t eat and stop drinking water.

    I immediately recognized these symptoms. My best friend found this page and I have the raw egg, the gatorade, Pepto and I have some antibiotic I had from my sons pneumonia.

    I gave him 1 mil of the antibiotic, 5 ml of raw egg, 20 ml of Gatorade. No pepto because he hasn’t vomited anything.

    I see an immediate difference in him. He is in his crate and won’t stop whining because he wants out. I’ve lysoled everything, washed his bedding in bleach and hot water and detergent, washed my couch cover because that’s where he would lay.

    It’s obvious he feels a little better. Maybe it’s because the virus hasn’t manifested into severity.

    I know for the next few days it will be sleepless. I do a delivery job, should I take him with me?

    Also, I have a 6 year old, fully vaccinated, rabies shot given in August pit bull girl who is showing no symptoms and being herself. Is she immune? What do I need to do to protect her?

    I would love anyone that wouldn’t mind directly contacting me to email me at erinn.rochelle2612@yahoo.com.

    • isak says:

      I don’t recommend taking your dog along for your deliveries. Minimizing any extra and unnecessary stimulation is best. In other words, keep him quiet and confined as much as possible. Even if he shows signs of feeling better and you are concerned this is parvo, keep going with your regiment until you feel he is 100%, then go a bit further.

      Your 6 year old should be okay so long as her vaccinations are current and included parvo. But I would still keep her away from the pup for a while.

  31. Emma torres says:

    My yorkie ate some salami and my mother said that is bad for her what are the symtoms and how do I help her cure.

    • isak says:

      Salami, like other processed meats (bologna, sausage, and hotdogs) can be too rich in fat and spices for a dog to digest. This can lead to stomach upset and even diarrhea. Maybe even some vomiting (which is actually good as it removes it from her gut). In large doses, it could lead to pancreatitis. As for a cure, you have to let this run it’s course but keep an eye on her. You can give her some plain yogurt (not flavored because the flavoring is high in sugar) to soothe her stomach.

      Make sure she has access to clean water. Salami is generally pretty salty and will make her thirsty.

  32. paul says:

    My 5 mo th old shitzu pup had been suffering from parvo virus infected by neighborhood dog. But he had recieved parvo vaccine few days ago. Yesterday he was ok been playing & running already but this morning he kept throwing up & popping diarrhea agin with dark bloody stools…my mom keep ongiving him gatorade to keep him hydrate… please who knows the remedy for this parvo let me know.. i’m very worried about our baby boy… he’s weak now… it’s so upsetting seeing him on this situation…???

    • isak says:

      Dogs that develop parvo will show symptoms 3-10 days after being exposed. So it’s possible your puppy had already contracted the virus before he was vaccinated. The biggest priority is keeping him hydrated. A healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If your dog is vomiting after drinking, he is not getting the liquids he needs. This is important because the liquid helps his organs function. Your vet might set you up so you can administer liquids via an IV yourself at home. This bypasses his stomach and he will be better able to get liquids. Otherwise, determine how much he should drink each day and, if he is throwing it up, give him double the amount, but spread it throughout the day — like once an hour give him liquids. Feed him the same way: many small meals.

      Read through the comments on this page. There are tips that will help you. You will have to try different foods to see which will work best. And you may have to force feed it to him. Also clean his bedding, your floors, the bottoms of your shoes, your yard and anywhere else he has been with a bleach/water solution.

      Be diligent! This is a rough virus and will take time to get over. It could take a week to see improvement. Just don’t give up on him.

      Your vet can also prescribe anti-nausea meds to help. While she feels so bad, she will likely not eat or drink on her own so you will have to set up a schedule and force feed her until she gets over the hump.

      This is a rough virus. You need to be diligent and not give up.

  33. Tessa says:

    2 of 4 pups got parvo as it has been thru my apt building. Neighbor dog had it and didnt inform anyone til other peoples pups started getting sick. I just got 2 pitbull puppies Blue and Blanca around halloween. They caught it..Last Monday Blue got sick. I quarantined her in the bathroom. Scrubbed everything with Bleach. Vomiting and then the bloody diarrhea. She didnt make it..she passed Wednesday. While she was sick i had ordered Paxxin and Vitamin supplements but didnt come til after she had passed away.. i was devastated. Then Friday the other pup Blanca got sick.. i immediately quarantine her and scrubbed the whole house with bleach again and steamed furniture. I didnt sleep for 4 days straight. Pushing fluids and meds.. ( pepto, Paxxin, and antibiotics) I didnt want to lose her too. Monday she started drinking water on her own, Tuesday evening i started feeding her.I made pumpkin and plain yogurt mixed, as i heard this would help her digestive system to get back natural juices. She didnt want so i made a little bit watered down and pushed some into her.. Wenesday i made more but decided i would force her to eat.. but i offered a variety of food instead. Canned puppy food watered down with chicken broth warmed in one bowl. In another plain cooked hamburger. And waited.. she was drinking no problem. She ate the hambuger. It was only 2 bites worth but it was progress.. then she ate some puppy food later..again 2 bites worth. Now i am waiting for her to get back to her normal self.. how long should i wean her back on to food??
    Will she relapse ? Get sick some more or are we safe now? It been a long 5 days but she is a fighter..she tried to bite me while giving her meds. But only has a little bit of energy. How can i increase her energy level and know shell be okay..
    My other 2 pups are fully vaccinated as they are older.1 year old Rottweiler and 11 month old boxer pitbull.
    Can she finally come out and resocailize again?

    • isak says:

      Unless the common areas of your apartment have been thoroughly cleaned, the virus will remain active for quite some time and continue to affect dogs. This is a big concern. I’m not sure how big your apartment complex is, but this needs to be addressed. It’s a very serious health issue to all dogs that live there or even just visit. This will affect your dog until she is fully back to normal, so I would wait at least another week before taking her out or she could relapse. Her energy will come back slowly as she gets stronger. Wean her back slowly on her food, but give her as much as she will eat but not to the point she throws it up.

      Good luck!

  34. Tessa says:

    Ok..i got 2 girl pitbull puppies around halloween..Called the vet, but had no money as i had been off work due to a kidney infection of my own. 1 week ago on Monday 12/12/16 one of them (Blue) started acting sick , vomiting. Thinking she ate something wrong we babied her til she had diarrhea in my bed.. then i knew it was Parvo.The smell and it was a dark reddish color..immediately put her quarantine in the bathroom. We have other dogs.her sister (Blanca) 10 1/2 weeks old..1 year old Rottweiler (Diesel) and a 11 month old boxer pitbull (Chico) who are completely vaccinated. I started cleaning with bleach and washed all the blankets and dog beds she had came in contact. My dogs are not kenneled and have free roam of the house..then i got out my floor steamer and started steaming the couch the carpet , all while giving the pup pedialyte and pepto every 30 min. Toys were washed and hard wood floors mopped with bleach. I went online and did some reseach, i remembered some stuff from back when i was a Vet Tech..I also came across Paxxin while researching in between fluids. I oredered it and some supplemental vitamins for puppies. It said 2 days.. I stayed up the entire 1 day and 1/2 giving fluids and pepto.. but it ravished her so fast.she didnt make it and passed away in my arms..i was devastated. Now i was hypervigulant and watching the other dogs.. i removed her from the house and scrubbed the bathroom top to bottom with bleach.. made an appointment for her at the Vets to be cremated and went to bed. That day my order arrived with Paxxin and Vitamin supplements.i was mad that it could not come sooner.. i immediately read the directions on the Paxxin and started administering it to all my 3 pups. Plus vitamins supplement 4x daily. That was Wednesday. Friday 12/16/16 my other young girl pup Blanca started vomiting. I said here we go again. Started pedialyte right away and children’s pepto. Then she had the diarrhea right after i gave fluids. So in quarantine she went.. but this time was going to be different was the attitude i had.. i wasnt going to lose her like i did Blue. So i started with every 30 min fluids and Paxxin every hour and pepto and Vitamin supplements and an antibiotic every 4 hours. I did this for 4 days straight.. took naps while my husband helped out also.. On Monday she got up and started walking around a little. Then more diarrhea came.. nasty stuff it started a dark brick color and at the end of the day it was a brownish green color. I gave her 4 baths that day while giving extra fluids as she had started drinking water on her own.. changed out the puppy pads right away after every poop. Went thru 10 pads. Yesterday i started food..as she hadnt eaten since Friday and i wanted to give her some substance in her tummy. I started out with canned pumpkin and plain greek yougurt watered down in pedialyte. Gave to her 2 times . Then her meds and pepto. She bit me while giving her some extra fluids later on so i knew she had energy..Today i only gave her watered down puppy food and some cooked hamburger in bowls and left her to figure it out.. she ate the hamburger. I was happy she ate finally!. Even though it was only 3-4 small bites. I called the Vet and asked if she could roam outside the bathroom to cheer her up as she was depressed. He said that my other 2 being vaccinated that should be fine but any accidents should be cleaned right away with bleach and only under strict supervision. So i let her out for 2 hours and boy she was waggin her tail and watching the kitties and enjoying being out again.. she stayed close to me. I guess my question would be since its going on 6 days and she is eating a tiny and drinking water, is she going to be okay?? Or will she relapse? What should i be looking for? I made her an appt with the Vet for a couple weeks out so she can recoup and gain some energy and weight again. Also does she need the parvo shot again? Or now that she has been thru it she would be fine? She has lossed weight but not alot.

    • isak says:

      I’m so sorry to hear about Blue. It sounds like Blanca is going to make it. I would still hold her back from full play and going outside for another week until she has fully recovered — eating and drinking normally. Your vet can best answer the question about the parvo shot — has she had one already? In general, it’s believed that once a dog survives parvo, they will never get it again. But there are always exceptions to every rule. So relapse is possible, but not generally expected.

  35. Marie says:

    Is there anyway I can stop my dog having diarrhea? Is this normal? My dog keeps popping red like blood. If I keep hydrating her will she be okay or will I have to buy a stool hardner.

    • isak says:

      It sounds like you may have two things going on: the diarrhea and the blood in her stool.

      You need to find the source for the diarrhea. It could be a reaction to the food she is eating or maybe she needs to be de-wormed or perhaps there is another medical issue going on. Is she eating and drinking okay? Is she active as usual? Has she been de-wormed? If she has had any issues at all with fleas, she could very well have tapeworms. She could also have other intestinal parasites. Tapeworms and other intestinal parasites are not always visible in her stools.

      Check at Tractor Supply or a feed store for a good broad spectrum wormer that handles parasites.

      Is the red blood in her stools just on the outside of her stool or is it throughout? This helps determine if the issue is in her gut or along the path.

      To firm up her stools, add a tablespoon of plain pumpkin to her food twice a day. This will help her stools, but you still need to address the issue with the blood. It indicates that something is not right.

  36. Bea says:

    Hi, I have a 2-4 months old japanese spitz puppy who started vomiting last week but several days after, she started showing most symptoms of parvo. We did the egg remedy on her just yesterday but she keeps vomiting it out 15-20 minutes later. We also let her eat cerelac(which was recommended by the doctor). Still, she vomits it out. Is that supposed to happen? I don’t know if the egg remedy actually worked on her so I want to know what you think.

    She also poops a lot of blood and she barely eats or drink unless we force feed her. She is currently on dextros. This has been going on for 3-4 days now and I’am really worried for her. Please let me know what you think, thank you

    • isak says:

      The first issue with parvo is dehydration. A healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If your dog is vomiting after drinking, she is not getting the liquids she needs. This is important because the liquid helps her organs function. Some vets will administer liquids via an IV. This bypasses her stomach and she will be better able to get liquids. Some vets will also set you up so you can do this at home.

      Your vet can also prescribe anti-nausea meds to help. While she feels so bad, she will likely not eat or drink on her own so you will have to set up a schedule and force feed her until she gets over the hump.

      This is a rough virus. You need to be diligent and not give up.

      If the egg does not work, try something else. There are many suggestions in the comments on this post from people who have shared what worked for them. Sometimes canned Friskies Turkey cat food appeals to dogs for whatever reason. But be prepared to have to force feed and force liquids.

      Stay strong and don’t give up.

  37. Deborah Syrja says:

    On Dec 8 I brought home 2 9wk old pups. Two days later one was quieter and picking at food(which I had started to change). Four days later same pup lethargic so took to vet and was diagnosed with parvo. The next day 2nd pup was quiet so took him in also. But pups stayed at vets. Day 11 after bringing pups home one of my adults became ill. Heartbreakingly he did not make it. Now two big questions.
    1. How can we figure when dogs were exposed. Other households could of been infected. Puppy owners other dogs/pups are fine. Her friends are vets who were over there everyday and that scared me. I had traveled with my dogs and try to keep them away from where other dogs have been.
    2. When can I stop worrying about my other dogs becoming ill? I am doing everything possible that I can think of.D

    • isak says:

      I am so sorry for your loss.

      The parvovirus is extremely resistant: it can survive in the environment up to 7 months adapting to various pH ranges and temperature changes. Once it is ingested, the parvovirus has a period of incubation of 3 to 7 days.

      Usually, the virus is first eliminated in the feces on day 3 and the shedding continues for another 10 days. After 10 to 14 days, the dog might stop shedding the virus making it undetectable in the feces. Rarely, clinically infected dogs shed the virus periodically.

      In the first stage, the infection is subclinical, that is, it does not exhibit any symptoms. This is why this infection is highly contagious: during the incubation period the dog is shedding the virus in the environment without displaying any symptoms and other dogs might get easily infected.

      When ingested, the virus rapidly replicates in the lymphatic tissue spreading quickly in the bloodstream and throughout the body attacking internal organs, especially the intestines and the heart.

      Have your other dogs been vaccinated against the parvo virus? If not, get them vaccinated and keep them away from infected dogs and areas for 2-3 weeks (or what your vet recommends).

      Good luck! This is a heartbreakingly tough virus.

  38. Jessica says:

    Hi my dog is about to be a year old this month and he just got parvo the symptoms started three days ago. We have started giving him pedialite and some pepto but I was wondering how much of it you were giving your puppy? And also I have questions my dog just started making grunting sounds was your dog doing this? I now it’s probably because his In pain but just want to double check.

    • isak says:

      An average dog needs to drink between 8.5 to 17 ounces of water per 10 pounds. The recommended dosage for pepto bismol is 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds or 1 tablespoon per 15 pounds. It can be offered to the dog every 6-to-8 hours. The grunting is concerning. If it persists, you should see your vet. Your vet can also prescribe meds for nausea.

  39. Clarissa Harrison says:

    What can I clean my carpet with? My dogs are recovering from largo and I am keeping the floors,bedding,shoes, etc. clean with bleach to keep from contaminating the rest of my home, I have 3 more dogs. Wish I had found this site sooner didn’t know about pepto. Thanks for the info about feeding them vet didn’t give as much detail.

    • isak says:

      Contaminated carpet, soft furnishings and clothing/bedding should be cleaned thoroughly using a colour-safe bleach solution if possible (test it first in case it discolours the material). Soak clothing/bedding in the bleach first. Steam cleaning can also be effective if temperatures reach 120-130 degrees Celsius for 10-15 minutes. Hanging things out in the hot sun to dry can also assist in killing off any remaining virus. Ultimately anything that is not a hard object/surface will be difficult to clean adequately.

      A veterinary cleaner called F10 can be supplied in a spray bottle and used on items that cannot be cleaned with bleach.

  40. Vinum Gupta says:

    My labrador puppy is just 1.5 months old and has been diagnosed with Parvovirus.
    She has diarrhea, vomitting, lethargy, loss of appetite and weight loss as symptoms.
    Her course of treatment has been decided that she will be given IV twice a day.
    Kindly help me if there is anything else I can do to make her survive and be healthy again as fast as possible.
    If u have any answers pls email me:
    vinum.gupta@gmail.com

    • isak says:

      I am so sorry for your news. If you read through the comments included on this post, you will find things people have done that have helped them. The biggest issue is keeping your dog hydrated. The IV will take care of that. The way it is being administered bypasses the stomach, so she will be retaining what you give her. Next is nutrition. Did your vet also prescribe any nausea meds? Often they do. Next is finding a food she will tolerate. Try the bland boiled rice and chicken. Even try Friskies canned cat food (works for finicky eaters at my house). Once you find something she eats, feed it is several smaller amounts throughout the day and evening until she keeps it down, then increase the amount and decrease the feedings. If she won’t eat, it’s likely because her stomach is upset. Check with your vet, but you can give her Pepto Bismol. Also make sure your clean your house — bedding, floors, toys, her food and water bowls — with a bleach and water solution. This is a tough virus. It will take diligence on your part and will last several days, so don’t give up. Just keep doing what you are doing. You are her best hope.

  41. Pamela Derrick says:

    Will Mylanta work in the same as Pepto ?

    • isak says:

      Yes.
      Mylanta: For upset stomach and gas problems
      Dogs: 1 tsp every 4-6 hours for dogs less than 20 lbs; 2 tsp every 4-6 hours for dogs 21-50 lbs; and 3 tsp every 4-6 hours for dogs greater than 51 lbs.

  42. Caitlin says:

    Hello my 5 month old fluffy powderpuff has been in the vet for a week and has been diagnosed with parvovirus and has shown all the brutal symptoms we have other pups in the pass who have had parvovirus and that have died and they still haven’t heeled him and I’ve been praying that Lincoln will beet this but I want to know if this remedy will work because the vet is releasing him tomorrow and ylthey said mabey he’s just mostly depressed so please give me feed back if this egg remedy works

    • isak says:

      Do they feel that he is doing better as a reason to suggest he is just depressed? Dogs sometimes do heal faster at home. Before you bring him home, make sure you have cleaned up the house with the bleach and water solution mentioned in the post including his bedding, toys and areas he frequents as the virus can remain active for some time. Once a dog overcomes parvo, it is generally believed they will be immune for life, but given his young age and given that he was diagnosed just a week ago, you need to be sure that his environment is a clean as possible.

      The big thing is keeping him hydrated. Perhaps your vet will send him home with a bag of fluids that you can administer just under his skin. This by-passes his stomach and delivers fluid straight to his organs. Second is getting food into him. Perhaps the vet will send you home with anti-nausea meds to help with that. Once those two problems are handled, find something he will eat and that he can hold down and feed him that in several small amounts throughout the day. You can reduce these and increase the size of the portions as he allows.

      Some dogs do well with the egg remedy and some don’t especially like it. It just depends on your fluffy powderpuff. This is a rough virus, so just don’t give up. Set yourself a schedule for care and stick with it 24/7. And best to you both!

  43. Tracy G Wyatt says:

    Please help i have a two year old Chihuahua two days ago she started having really bad diarrhea it started off yellow then later that night she started vomiting brown she stopped throwing up last night her diarrhea was really bad with lots of blood so i gave her her first shots afew hours later it was a miracle she was playing eating and drinking with little diarrhea. Now the diarrhea is back now its orange and smells like fish she wont play and is whining i dont know what to do

    • isak says:

      The original vomiting and diarrhea may have been from something she ate that did not agree with her. The current diarrhea could be the end of the original problem, but has been altered by the vaccines. Some dogs will experience a change in their bowels from vaccines. However, keep your eye on her in case her symptoms continue.

      Were the shots you gave for parvo or just general vaccines? If you suspect parvo, vaccinating for parvo is not recommended because some vaccines contain a “live modified virus”. That means that the parvo virus they contain is alive, but has been rendered incapable of causing clinical disease. The purpose of giving a vaccine is to stimulate the pup’s immune system to produce antibodies against the virus. However, it causes the body to work extra to fight this virus in addition to whatever is already going on.

      Make sure she is drinking water. And if she is eating, add some plain canned pumpkin to her food to firm up her stools.

  44. Valerie says:

    Thank Issac for replying.. we administer some antibiotics injectables and anti nausea shots today/ dec 2 in the evening.. Jack the Maltese pooped with blood for the first time afterwards and also experiences crying (without being touch).. but now he is able to stand to change sleeping position.. are we too late already? The cry is jack is horrible and our hearts break and hurt… what do you think?

    • isak says:

      No, I don’t think you are too late. Just stick with it. This takes time.

      I’m not sure what the cry is. Does it occur randomly? Could it be because he doesn’t feel good and not pain-related? I know how a cry like that can go right through you, especially when you don’t understand. If it continues, your vet may be able to suggest a pain reliever that will work with the meds he is on.

      Good luck and hang in there.

  45. Monica Moreno says:

    A stray walked up to my house..cute chihuahua. I asked my neighbors. Nobody’s dog took him in and within 24 hrs full parvo symptoms. Live on a budget so your website is very helpful since i cant afford a vet right now. I hope this little puppy makes it. Thanks for your website. Day 1 down

    • isak says:

      KUDOS to you for you for giving him a chance at a good life. Just be diligent and don’t give up on him. Best to you both.

  46. Valerie says:

    Jack appearance changed so dramatically in weight lost.. his gums are pale color almost whitish.. he is not vomiting/ diarrhea with blood but yellowish and full of mucus transparent substance..

    • isak says:

      Keep doing what you are doing. This is a rough virus, especially on the young ones who have little immunity at that age, and can take some time to pass. Sometimes it can look pretty bleak, but improvement — even the smallest — may be just a couple hours away. The road back to health can be slow; don’t give up on him. The yellow is his stomach bile and the mucous occurs naturally to protect the stomach from digestive acids. Sounds like a good sign. He feels like crap, so he will be quite lethargic. That’s okay because it forces him to remain quiet. Make sure he stays hydrated. The iv is perfect for this because it bypasses his stomach and administers liquid directly to his organs. This can make a big difference. The white gums is likely from the vomiting and diarrhea and should pass as he becomes more hydrated.

  47. Valerie says:

    Hi! I’m helping my sister with her newly adopted almost 2 months old Maltese.. here is the history; 26 Nov – vaccination (1st)
    28 Nov – start ng cough, vet diagnos “might me distemper”.. jack is hook with a IV 7cc/60 SE seconds, every 12 hours- cefalixine, b-complex, cough medicine, and motocloprarimide hydrochloride..

    3 Dec – We seek advice to another vet (since jack is not responding to the medics and non stop vomiting and diarrhea after having force food in a syringe).. thevet confirmed it to be Parvo not distemper.. currently jack is non stop vomiting and diarrhea, he won’t hold food down every feeding.. I’m trying now your treatment.. jack is able to stand up for a few seconds but during pee and poop he won’t stand up.. I don’t know and in rush of emotions if I’m too late and if my puppy is suffering too much since diagnose was late.. he is stil hook up in an IV.. any advice? Thank you..

  48. Jinky Sansano says:

    my dogs are already taking paxxin and vibactra plus but still not doing well. They started to show signs and symptoms since November 27. We started giving paxxin yesterday but still they are lethargic and almost vomiting. they also have bloody diarrhea. What should I do? we already lost 7 dogs and I’m scared that we may also lost the two of them. Can someone help me on what should I do to save them? We are already giving them electrolye, water through enema because they are always vomiting. they always vomit everytime we give them something to drink. I need your opinions on how to treat my dogs. 🙁

    • isak says:

      You didn’t mention a size or age, so these are broad comments. You want to keep them hydrated first and foremost. A dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day — without vomiting and diarrhea. Have you figured that into the quantity of liquids you are administering to them? You also want to keep them in an area that has been thoroughly cleaned with a solution of bleach and water. Maybe a room that has been cleaned. It should be fairly easy if they are lethargic. If you have already lost 7 dogs, it is possible that the yard is causing re-infection if it has not been treated. Parvo can survive in the soil for some time. Is there an un-infected yard they can use?

      Next you want to work on the nausea. Your vet can prescribe anti-nausea drugs. Also, the Paxxin is said to help with it. Pepto Bismol may help, too. If they throw it up, try it again in a few hours.

      Parvo takes time, patience and diligence to get through. Keep doing what you are doing. Follow a schedule where you are providing food and liquid every couple hours. Make sure you are giving them plenty of liquids.

      Best to you all!

  49. Alex says:

    So my dog is about 10 months almost full size pitbull yesterday night I noticed he didn’t want to eat today I found him laying down really weak and didn’t want to eat all he would do is drink water but after he drinks water he trows up I try giving him pedialite and mediceine in a sirange but it’s super hard since he’s a really big dog what should I do

    • isak says:

      Given his age, he could have eaten something he shouldn’t have and it is upsetting his stomach. Because you posted this on the parvo post, has he been around any other dogs that may have parvo? How long have you had him? You can give him some pepto bismol (1 tablespoon per 15 lbs every 6 hours) to coat his stomach. If this doesn’t help and he continues to vomit, not drink water and starts to have diarrhea, you should see your vet as he could quickly dehydrate and that is a big deal. In general, a dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day — without vomiting and diarrhea.

  50. Thomas says:

    I have a puppy pit, he’s about 6-7 months, I recently changed his food from ol’roy to Beneful. The first few days, I noticed no changes, then one day he decided not to eat, the day after he had diarrhea. Although he started eating, it wasn’t much, he is still active, he is still eating and drinking, yet he still has diarrhea, he has thrown up once today, he hasn’t lost any weight nor does he appear to be weak. Could my boy still have patti?

    • isak says:

      I didn’t understand your last question — can your boy still have “patti”? For the diarrhea, try adding some plain canned pumpkin to his food. This should firm up his stools. If he had an upset stomach, he would probably not want to eat. Did you change his food quickly or did you make the switch gradually by mixing some of the old food with the new food? Some dogs will react with diarrhea if it was a quick switch. However, given his young age, he could have also eaten something when no one was watching and it upset his stomach. If he is active and hasn’t lost any weight, it may well be something that will pass in a few days. Is he also still drinking water?

What do you think?

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