Parvo Home Treatments – How to Cure At Home for Dogs
Parvo is one of the most dreadful ways for a dog to meet its death. It is slow and agonizing, which is gut-wrenching to witness for the owner. Parvo is a contagious viral infection that, if left untreated, will be fatal. If you have many dogs, then the disease can spread among them because they play and share objects.
Because of the urgency that this infection has, it is easy to panic when you do not have money for the vet. The next possible solution would be to try and treat this at home. This is not the best move as the vet is always the best choice; however, there are ways that you can go about this without risking the dog’s life. First, let us cover a few bases;
How the Virus Gets To Dogs
Dogs get exposed to the Parvovirus when they come into contact with infected excrement. Your dog may come across another infected dog and get the virus in a matter of minutes. They don’t have to consume the infected fecal matter; even a simple sniff will expose them to the virus.
Canines can also get the virus by playing with someone who was recently in contact with an affected dog. The virus sticks to the hands and clothing; therefore, it is easily transmittable. Infected leashes and dishes are another means that dogs can get the virus. This is especially common in shelters where dogs share facilities.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the virus attacks the stomach and the small intestines severely. The virus impairs absorption, kills cells, and disrupts the gut barrier, specifically the small intestines.
Unvaccinated puppies below six months are more susceptible to the virus because their immune system is still developing. The disease attacks the bone marrow and the lymphopoietic tissues in puppies; at times, it might get to the heart, which is fatal.
How to Identify It
The virus itself is not hard to manage; it is the other effects like secondary infections and dehydration that might do the dog in. If one is not keen, they may disregard Parvo as another infection that hounds dogs.
The main significant symptom associated with the virus is blood-stained fecal matter that stinks to the high heavens. Even if your dog usually unleashes sticky feces when suffering from the virus, the smell becomes even more distinct. Alongside foul-smelling excrement, other symptoms include;
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Dehydration
- Less appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Low immunity, which encourages secondary infections.
Diagnosis
Doctors have experience; therefore, it is easy for them to recognize Parvo when they see it. Your doctor will ask for a stool sample to confirm the disease. The SNAP test will only take a few minutes, and then the doctor will plan a course of action.
If your dog hasn’t been eating, there is a low chance of producing a stool sample; hence the doctor will order a blood test. The blood test is a good way of understanding just how sick the dog is. The doctor typically will administer IV fluids and antibiotics, among other medicines, to help contain the virus.
Treating Parvo at Home
Many will advise against treating the dog at home, but you cannot sit and watch your dog die if you don’t have the money. The first thing you should do is call the vet for instructions. The call to the vet will not cost you much, and you will at least have a proper plan to work with.
The vet will list down the medicines you need to buy or alter the dog’s diet to help them recover without incidences. While several studies show that dogs treated in hospitals recover faster than those treated at home, there is no evidence that home treatments cannot be successful. As long as the caregiver follows the doctor’s instructions to a tee, there should not be any significant problems.
Although treatment methods may vary from doctor to doctor, a possible treatment plan may consist of;
- Hydration fluids administered subcutaneously.
- Antiemetic administered subcutaneously.
- Vet’s choice of effective antibiotics that won’t damage the liver or kidney.
- Medicine to fight off parasites in the intestines.
- High-calorie supplements every few hours to stabilize the dog’s energy levels.
- Vitamin supplements to boost immunity.
If the condition exacerbates, take the dog to the Vet immediately and work out a payment plan if need be.
How to Prevent a Re-Infection
Even if your dog is vaccinated, they can still get Parvo if you don’t take care. Vaccination just lowers the impact on the body because the body can recognize and fight the virus. Even though there is a chance that the dog can get the disease again, there are a few things you can do to reduce the probability.
- Strong Immune System
Your dog can only fight off diseases if its body has the resources to do it. Giving your dog a balanced diet and recommended supplements will boost immunity. Ask your vet to recommend a suitable diet depending on the dog’s breed.
- Mingle Wisely
If you have a puppy and choose not to vaccinate it against the virus, you have to be careful where you take the dog. Public areas like parks are notorious for spreading the virus because so many dogs access the area. Please do not allow them to wander freely as they may come into contact with contaminated feces as they sniff around. When you visit the vet, restrain your dog from mingling with the other dogs as they may catch the virus.
- Separate Items
In case you have more than one dog, separate their food utensils. Do not interchange the food bowls because if one dog gets sick, you risk cross-contamination. Make sure that the dogs live in a clean environment clear of excrement.
- Vaccinate
Although vaccinations do not entirely eradicate the disease, they boost immunity; therefore, the system will manage the next time the virus resurfaces in the body.
Conclusion
Admittedly, treating a sick dog at home seems like an uphill task, but if you consult with your vet at every step, you will nurse your dog back to health. We cannot stress enough that you should not administer any medicine without the doctor’s consultation because you may put the dog in a worse state. Take all the precautionary measures, and everything will be fine.
