Being afraid for your dog’s health is one of the scariest feelings in the world. If your puppy recently got infected with Parvo, you might be wondering — How do I know if my dog will survive Parvo? While the answer to this question is complex, there are certain indicators that could give you an idea of your pup’s health.
What is Parvovirus?
Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious infection that mostly affects puppies that are either too young to get vaccinated or are in the middle of their vaccination program. However, it can also affect unvaccinated adult dogs.
The virus comes in one of two possible forms:
Intestinal
The intestinal form is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, lack of appetite.
Cardiac
The cardiac form is less common. Unfortunately, it can often end up deadly and it attacks the heart muscle of very young puppies.
Both of these forms can be successfully prevented by vaccination. However, if left untreated, the mortality rate goes up to 91%.
How do I know if my puppy will survive Parvo?
A good indicator will be the color and consistency of your dog’s poop. If your dog is recovering from Parvo, their stool will return to it’s normal color.
The stool of a dog with Parvo is very distinct. They have diarrhea and their stool is often watery with signs of blood in it. However, it can also be a light yellow color. The smell of the stool will also be very noticeable.
Your dog’s appetite should also increase, together with his energy and hydration. On the other side, vomiting, diarrhea or other symptoms should start to fade away.
How fast could Parvo kill my puppy?
Once your dog is infected, it could take 3 to 14 days for the symptoms to develop. If you don’t start the treatment as soon as you notice the symptoms, Parvo could kill your dog in only 48 to 72 hours.
To avoid it coming so far take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice any changes and start with the treatment immediately.
What can I do to help my dog survive Parvo?
There are many things that you can do. First of all — prevention. Vaccinate your pup so he doesn’t get Parvo in the first place.
Additionally, if your dog does get infected, get him on a treatment plan as soon as you can. Call your local vet emergency snd ask them to see you. They will be able to administrate fluids and other medications that could help your dog feel better.
Can I treat my dog from Parvo at home?
No, you can’t and you shouldn’t. To manage Parvo, veterinary treatment will be needed. However, you can provide some follow up care at home after your canine has been checked and diagnosed by a professional.
You will find a number of weird home remedies for Parvo (like bleach) however they can do more harm than good.
How can Parvo be prevented?
The most effective ways of preventing Parvo is through good hygiene and vaccination. Be a responsible dog owner and make sure that your canine is up-to-date on all of their vaccines.
Unfortunately, even if your dog is fully vaccinated for Parvo, there is still a slight chance that he may get infected. So be aware of the possible symptoms. However, in most cases, vaccinated dogs will have very mild cases of Parvo if they do, in fact, get infected.
Some of our other health-related articles:
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- Dog Eye Infection Treatment
- Cross Eyed Dog: Why It Happens
- Bow Legged Dog: What You Need To Know
- How To Induce Vomiting In Dogs?