My 18 month old Blue Heeler has contacted Parvo. I noticed that he was sick Fri eve.(vomiting). I thought it was something he ate. He was still vomiting on Sat. eve when I got home from work. I started to get a little worried, but still thought it was something he ate. My pitbull mix wasn't sick, just Bandit. By Sun. I was freaked out. This was not my dog, something was wrong. I called the vet and $100 just to walk in the door. I did it, I would never forgive myself if he died during the night so I would save myself some money. They tested him for parvo and it was positive. I broke down. I've seen parvo pups and most barely last 1-2 days. By the time you think something is wrong...it is just so fast. Anyway, I could not afford the 600+++ for the night to keep him there at the vet. They loaded him with fluid under the skin, and gave him antibiotics and sent me off for the night. I barely made it through the night, Bandit did, he only vomited on the way home (motion sickness). It is now Mon eve. He went to the vet at 11am and they gave me all the meds and fluids for him. I am treating him at home. He has been lethargic all day,but has kept liquids down. I have been giving him water every 30 mins. Just a few licks. I have tried pedialyte, but he will not drink it. I am thinking of forcing it with a syringe. He has been urinating and diarrhea just once this afternoon. Not bloody though. I am hopefull, as this has been the 3rd/4th day with symptoms. He is quite thin, and I will start a bit of rice feedings this eve. What are some of your thoughts on his outcome? I want some advice, thoughts, and prayers. Am I getting too hopeful or is this just the calm before the storm?

"I have tried pedialyte, but he will not drink it. I am thinking of forcing it with a syringe."

Do it. I lost most of a litter to parvo. I was fortunate to be able to save a couple. I was married to an RN, and we basically set up a hospital room in the garage. IVs were hanging everywhere.

Good luck. Please let us know how things are going.
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We have a few dog people here, and they might give you better advice. I just wanted to let you know that people care.

I just tried giving him plain white rice, after talking to the vet of course. He didn't like it, sucked the water out and flicked the rice back at me. First time I have laughed in couple of days. Called the vet again, thank goodness they are a 24 hour vet and don't mind me calling. They suggested baby food, 1 tsp every hour, and if he keeps it down, every half hour. They even said to try meat flavored. I rushed to the store, got a couple of jars and wow, he acted like this has been the problem all along. I am starving him. He wants to eat so bad. Just a tsp. Hope he keeps it down. Still drinking water and no vomiting. I'll be up all night and then I have to work tommorrow, my boyfriend will stay with him tommorrow. Keep you informed. Thanks for your prayers.

Well, its 445am, and no vomiting or diarrhea. He has been keeping down the food. Time for more meds. I think he has fleas, he seems to be itching and whining and scratching. ???? Anything I can use for this?

mimiinpo

one way to tell if your pet is being bitten by fleas is to put a damp...not wet, just damp paper towel over the spot it is scratching at and then take it off and turn it over. If fleas have been present, there will be little brownish to red dots on it. These dots are waste matter from the fleas which is your dogs blood.

However, with your pets current status with the canine parvo virus I’m not so sure you should begin any kind of flea treatment which could set your pet back as far as the parvo situation is concerned.. My suggestion is for you to seek your vets advice regarding your pet.

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Before I begin, I would like to apologize for a long post, but there is so much necessary information. I would also like folks to know that not all cases of vomiting and or diarrhea are symptoms of parvo, tests must be done to verify that the animal does indeed have parvo.

Knowing how this virus functions will give an understanding of why it is so important to have veterinary hospitalization over home care, and why IV fluids and intravenous antibiotics are necessary. However, one of the things you can do if finances are a problem is to ask the veterinary office if they will provide you with the IV fluids and supplies to take home. They can show you how to do the procedure. This will save you some money.

After ingestion this virus duplicates very rapidly in the tonsils and enters the bloodstream within a few days, from there it likes to grow rapidly in three places that have dividing cells. These are the intestines , bone marrow and immune system. It literally destroys the lining of the intestines preventing absorption of fluids or nutrition. It severally impairs the bone marrow and immune systems ability to produce defenses.

A secondary infection of bacteria further weakens the unprotected intestinal lining releasing toxins into the blood stream adding complications to an animal that is dehydrated from the vomiting and diarrhea. Between vomiting, diarrhea, and not eating causes an imbalance of electrolytes and hypoglycemia. Even if toxins are not produced, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can lead to shock

The immune system becomes overwhelmed by all the activity that is associated and death is imminent if treatment is not begun early and aggressive enough. An animal that does recover from parvo is not out of the woods just yet, because it can still be contagious for the next 60 days and needs to be kept away from other dogs.

There is no cure for canine parvo meaning that the virus itself can’t be dealt with. Supportive veterinary care is preferable and has the best prognosis. vaccinating your dog is of the utmost importance. Puppies and adolescent dogs are considered especially susceptible to exposure, and it is recommended that you avoid bringing your puppy to public places until after its vaccinations are complete.

An infected dog sheds the virus through its feces. Canine parvo virus is hardy and can withstand temperature extremes and survive in the environment for long periods of time. This virus can be transmitted location to location from shoes or other items that come into contact with the virus particles. It is also resistant to most disinfectants, however One part bleach mixed with approximately 30 parts water is an acceptable method for disinfecting any indoor area that houses a sick dog.


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We are now in day 6. No vomitting and he had a bowl movement last night. Loose but not bloody. He is drinking water by mouth and now eating a mix of baby food and rice. About 2tsp every hour. He is ravenous. He is still pretty mellow, sleeping and just laying around, but got alittle peppy (jumping up on me and wanting to chase a car) when I took him out to go potty. He is going pee pretty regularly. He seems to look better too. His ears are perked up and eyes are alert. We are still giving fluids under the skin every 12 hours and of course he is still getting his regimin of shots. Definately does not like those and they are getting a bit harder to give because he is more livelier then a couple days ago. I think he is going to pull through. In comment, I would like to add that YES, going to the vet is the best route to go. And having him cared for in a clinic is the best, but when you are strapped for cash, and many vets don't do credit unless you have been affiliated with them for a long time, but sometimes that option is not available. I got the meds and the IV fluids from the vet and took them home. It is round the clock care, be prepared to miss work, get no sleep, or very little sleep, and be dilligent. I am lucky that I didn't have any bloody stools to contend with and the vomitting was minimal. But the pathetic look on my Bandit's face and the emotional strain has wiped me out.Sorry about this being so long, but I just wanted everyone to know what is going on. He is still scratching alot so I am going to give him a bath today if the vet permits it. That is another thing, I have a vet and their staff that are so nice. I can call anytime day or night to ask questions. They have been so helpful.