Dog Diarrhea: Symptoms & What to Do

Section 1: What is Canine Parvovirus (CPV)?

Canine Parvovirus, often referred to as "dog distemper," is a highly contagious disease that affects dogs. It manifests as acute hemorrhagic enteritis and myocarditis. Dogs that have close contact with infected animals are at a higher risk of infection. Parvovirus can affect dogs of all ages, but puppies, especially those who are just born, are particularly susceptible. The disease can be severe, leading to sudden respiratory distress, heart failure, and death within a short span of time.

When looking at the breeds of dogs affected, purebreds and imported breeds tend to have higher infection rates compared to mixed breeds. This illness can occur yearround, but it is more prevalent during the colder months of winter, when the concentration of toxins in the feces of infected dogs is at its peak.

Section 2: Symptoms of Canine Parvovirus

1. Enteritis Type: The incubation period for this disease is typically 7 to 14 days. Initial symptoms include fever, with temperatures reaching above 40°C, lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, and the regurgitation of mucous and yellowgreen fluids. Diarrhea usually begins within a day of the onset of symptoms. Initially, the stool is loose, but it later turns into a tomato sauce or coffeecolored consistency with a foul smell, and the frequency of defecation increases.

Infected dogs may experience bloody diarrhea, sunken eyes, dry nose, weakness, significant weight loss, pale conjunctivae, severe anemia, and dehydration. If not treated promptly, the disease can lead to shock, coma, and death.

2. Blood Changes: There is a decrease in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, as well as a reduction in white blood cells. The white blood cell count in affected dogs may drop to 6090%.

3. Myocarditis Type: Puppies between 40 days old are most susceptible to this type. Affected dogs may not show any warning signs and can suddenly experience difficulty breathing, heart failure, and death, or they may die after a mild bout of diarrhea.

Section 3: How to Treat Canine Parvovirus

1. Early Treatment with Antiserum: The use of canine parvovirus hyperimmune serum and convalescent serum is recommended. Treatment should be administered as soon as possible, as the earlier the treatment, the better the outcome. The dosage of hyperimmune serum is 0.5 to 1 milliliter per kilogram of the dog's body weight, while the dosage of convalescent serum is 0.5 to 2 milliliters per kilogram.

2. Symptomatic Treatment: This includes fluid replacement,止血,止吐, and preventing secondary infections. Symptomatic treatment can involve giving the dog glucose saline, hemostatic agents, vitamin K1, vitamin K3, Weibang, Libang, antacids, and sulfonamide drugs. Due to the high risk of dehydration, fluid therapy is a key component of treatment. The amount of fluid administered should be determined based on the degree of dehydration, with an intravenous infusion of isotonic glucose saline mixed with 5% sodium bicarbonate. The volume of fluid can range from 5 to 40 milliliters of 25% glucose solution, 2 to 10 milliliters of vitamin C, and 5 to 20 milliliters of an energy mixture, administered 1 to 2 times daily.

3. Antibiotic and Antiseptic Therapy: Broadspectrum antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and clindamycin phosphate can be used in the early stages of the disease. When using hyperimmune serum, it is important to also administer cardiac stimulants, fluid supplements, antibiotics, antiinflammatory agents, antishock agents, and improve nursing care to increase the chances of recovery. However, these should not be used longterm, as they can disrupt the dog's gut flora, delaying the recovery of digestive function. Antitoxin and Antitoxin No. 1 are effective against this disease.

4. Antiemetic and Hemostatic Therapy: Dogs with severe vomiting can be treated with intramuscular injections of Amol Canine, Metoclopramide (antiemetic), 0.3 to 2 milliliters to alleviate vomiting.

5. Antishock Therapy: Dogs with obvious shock symptoms can be treated with intramuscular injections of dexamethasone (fluoromethasone) 5 to 15 milligrams or intravenous injections of 0.3 to 1 milliliter of hydrochloric acid sodium fish oil.

6. Oral Rehydration: Dogs that are not eating, have a rapid heart rate, and do not show signs of vomiting, loss of appetite, or thirst can be given oral rehydration salts.

Important Tip: Click on 'Prevention of Canine Parvovirus' to learn more about how to prevent this disease in dogs.