How to deal with Dog's Bloody Poop, Vomiting, Diarrhea - Parvo symptoms

This is Challenging because while spotting the symptoms might be easy, other things can look like parvo too. The treatment of Parvo is HARD WORK and emotionally trying. .

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vet visit to confirm with rapid response test,
• Thermometer, Fluids - pedialyte, syringe,
• Inside crates, potty pads
• Bleach for cleanup
• Insurance helpful
• Care Credit is Helpful

1. When you buy a puppy three things you need to do besides regular preparation.
   
   * 1 - Choose a veterinarian and have emergency plan laid out for if Vet is not available.
   
   * 2 - Purchase Insurance. You can purchase on line at links in resource section below.
   
   * 3 - Make sure to have Vet check right away and have all dog shots and puppy vaccines done as soon as possible and kept on schedule.

2. SYMPTOMS:
   
   • Diarrhea / Loose Stool (sometimes bloody or foul smelling)
   • Vomiting (more than 2-3X)
   • Lethargic or Depressed
   • Not Drinking and possibly not eating much
   • Temperature of 102+ ( not always)
   • Tender Tummy
   
   Call vet and try to get in same day. Go to animal emergency if you have to. Treatment should start within 48 hours to increase survival rate. The vet should run a rapid response test that takes about 15 minutes for results.

3. TREATMENT OPTIONS
   
   First option: Hospitalizing with IV fluids, TAMIFLU, antibiotics, worming, and constant testing/monitoring. It will be expensive and last several days. Survival rate about 50/50.
   
   Your vet should include TAMIFLU - it is one of the newest most effective treatments for preventing death.
   
   Black and Tan breeds seem to contract this disease easier and take it harder. For that reason always go for hospitalization. Even if you have to surrender dog to rescue group or the vet due to no funds. If you are on tight budget but can afford payments check the resource box below.

4. 
    
   One of my Parvo survivors! Thank you Vets!

   TREATING AT HOME if vet is just not option:
   • TAMIFLU (liquid) Vet can prescribe and give you enough for your pup.
   2 xs daily for 5 days about $30-50 for one puppy depending on size.
   
   • IV fluids under skin – every 12 hours. Can be done at home. Vet can sell you IV bag and show how to use it. This is best option if you are doing at home care. Around $50.00
   
   • No IV? you can syringe pedialyte orally every 15 minutes for 24 hours… longer than that or if you need sleep then get the fluid bags. This is very draining and you have to be there period. Vet will recommend dosage based on dogs weight.

5. AT home continued:
   
   IMPORTANT Do not feed until all vomiting has stopped as this is gut virus and you do not need to upset the gut more.
   
   
   • Antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary infection of the gut. You will probably need 2 antibiotics and the RX can be filled at Wal-Mart - ask vet to RX the cheaper versions – the $4.00 stuff. Some might be a little more. You will need a pill cutter to cut tablets to proper dosage. 2 xs daily. If you can afford the shots it is better as the antibiotics can upset the guts.
   
   • For extreme nausea (puking and vomiting aren't slowing down) you can give 1/2 children's dose of Pepto Bismol. I would ask the Vet correct dosage for your pup based on weight and/or alternative anti-nausea med.

Tips & Warnings

• Prevention is best. Remember: Choose Vet, Dog Insurance, and puppy vaccinations!
• Clean up is a 10% bleach solution the only proven inexpensive parvo cleaner
• Virus lives at least 5 months inside on surfaces.
• All treatments are at your risk...
• I can only share what I have learned and what worked for me. Checking with VET is always the best.
• Virus is very contagious and your dog will be shedding it for a couple of months. He is over it but other dogs can catch it.
• Dog Parvo is limited to dogs and not crossed to humans or cats (we have our own form of Parvo)

Resources

• Payment plan - pulldown menu VETERINARIAN
• AKC Pet insurance or Dog Insurance
• ASPCA Pet Insurance
• Blog about Parvo

[MagicSquares]

on 7/27/2009 Firstly, we no longer recommend vaccinations to our customers - read http://www.ParvoBuster.com/vets to see why. Secondly, Parvo tests often generate a false negative with the 2c strain. Thirdly, we don't recommend Tamiflu - it's designed for humans, not dogs, and the chemicals could make your dog worse. Fourthly, we've found Pedialyte can cause dogs to throw up more - look for the Parvo Emergency Tea Recipe instead;. Fifthly, home treatment is better effected using a Parvo Gold Value Pack. Sixthly, the normal recommendation for bleach is 1:30, not 1:10; and make sure you rinse it off after 30 - 60 minutes or it will still be toxic to your dogs. Seventhly, cats can get Parvo now - it manifests as Feline Distemper. Finally, if you're wondering about the credibility of these comments, then you should know that we have helped treat over 900 cases of Parvo since March 2007.

[karileighk]

on 7/10/2009 Every dog owner should read this one :)

[Alrady]

on 6/26/2009 Having the 12 puppies reminded me that it is time to make sure that everyone has their vaccinations and are considering this as they purchase new puppies or adopt from shelters.

[Punkuns]

on 1/13/2009 After we lost two dogs to Parvo we won’t let a dog near our home that hasn’t had vaccinations! Great advice!

[ethoslogos]

on 1/7/2009 Very helpful for puppy owners to know about these issues in advance. 5*