Parvovirus in dogs is a highly contagious disease that most frequently strikes puppies and unvaccinated dogs. Even with vaccination, a dog may still contract the disease. The most common form of parvovirus is the intestinal or parvovirus enteritis. Because there is no cure for the disease, supportive treatment is required to rehydrate the dog and provide him a fighting chance against the disease.
Supportive Treatment
Severe vomiting and diarrhea along with dehydration are the harshest symptoms of parvovirus, and as such, they are also the most important to alleviate in order to prevent death. At home treatment, while able to be done, is very difficult and tends to be less effective than treatments provided by your veterinarian.
Fluid replacement is critical to your dog's survival. Keep in mind that early rehydration is imperative to increase your dog's chances of recovery. His body is approximately 80% water. If he loses 12 to 15% of that water, he cannot survive. Because the vomiting and diarrhea have also depleted your dog's electrolytes (a complex combination of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride and several other elements), it is important that these elements be replenished as well. The veterinarian will start an intravenous line, introducing fluids with an intricate balance of electrolytes. These fluids help rehydrate your dog and bring his electrolyte balance back to a healthy level.
The dog should not have food or water orally until vomiting has stopped. Food or water given orally can potentially trigger another vomiting episode, further dehydrating your dog's body.
Supportive treatment usually takes between 2 to 4 days, although can sometimes take up to a week. When you get your dog home, he is going to be weak and still require a lot of rest. Because he is in a weakened condition, he also needs to be protected against secondary infections. He needs to be kept warm and comfortable and in an area where he can rest.
After Parvo
Once your dog has returned home and is recovering, he still needs to be isolated from other dogs. Because parvo is shed from the dog's body through his feces, he will still be eliminating the parvovirus for 30 days after being sent home from the hospital. Be sure to clean up immediately after he has a bowel movement and throw it away. Once the 30 days have passed, you can return your dog to normal social activities where he interacts with other dogs.
Parvovirus is currently considered to be the most prolific and highly contagious of diseases within the canine world. While the vaccine prevents the disease in most cases, a dog can still contract the disease once immunized. If contracted, it is critically important to start the rehydration process as quickly as possible in order to increase your dog's chance of survival. Remember, there is no cure for parvovirus, because it is a virus. Supportive treatment, including rehydration and balancing of electrolytes, are the only chances your dog has to return to a healthy life.