Canine Parvovirus Symptoms & Treatment Overview

Intestinal Inflammation in Puppies: This condition commonly affects puppies between the ages of 2 to 6 months and has an incubation period ranging from 4 to 14 days. The disease often strikes suddenly, triggered by factors such as bathing or overeating. Initially, puppies may exhibit high fever, loss of appetite, listlessness, and vomiting. Initially, the vomit consists mainly of food, but later turns into mucous and yellowgreen fluids. Dr. Oxygen Pet reminds us that diarrhea symptoms typically begin after the first day of illness. This is followed by frequent vomiting and severe diarrhea.

Myocarditis in Puppies: Myocarditis is more prevalent in puppies around 40 days old. Dogs with this condition show no clinical symptoms before suddenly developing difficulty breathing and a weak heartbeat. Some may only exhibit mild diarrhea or vomiting, followed by sudden weakness, difficulty breathing, and whining. Others may appear pale, have difficulty walking, be extremely depressed, lose their appetite, and may have a normal or slightly elevated body temperature. They often die within a few hours.

Treatment Principles: The primary focus is on protecting the gastrointestinal tract, strengthening the heart, replenishing fluids, restoring cardiovascular function, preventing complications, and boosting the immune system. During the isolation and treatment period, it's crucial to provide thorough care for the affected animals.

In the early stages, puppies can be treated with canine parvovirus hyperimmune serum, administered via intramuscular injection at a dose of 1 to 2 ml per kilogram of body weight, once daily for 2 to 3 days, which tends to yield good recovery results.

During treatment, it's important to reinforce heart function and fluid replenishment.

In early cases, when puppies do not show vomiting, loss of appetite, or frequent diarrhea, and have not yet developed dehydration symptoms, they can be treated with oral rehydration salts, administered 3 to 6 times a day, with each dose ranging from 15 to 30 ml, for effective relief.

As the disease progresses and symptoms of diarrhea and dehydration become more severe, dogs can be treated with a slow intravenous injection of 50 to 500 ml of Ringer's lactate, 20% glucose 20 to 40 ml, 2 to 6 ml of vitamin C, 1 to 2 ml of ATP, and an antibiotic or antiviral antiinflammatory drug, twice daily.

When dogs experience severe vomiting and diarrhea, it's essential to promptly correct dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and acidbase disturbances. This can be achieved using 50 to 500 ml of Ringer's lactate, 20% glucose 20 to 40 ml, 0.3 to 1.0 ml of scopolamine hydrobromide injection (6542), 2 to 6 ml of vitamin C, 1 to 2 ml of ATP, 5 to 10 ml of potassium chloride per 500 ml of solution, and an antibiotic or antiviral antiinflammatory drug, administered slowly via intravenous injection. Concurrently, administer 1 to 2 ml of bromide procaine intramuscularly, 5 to 10 mg of dexamethasone, and 2 to 4 ml of phenolsulfonate, twice daily for 3 to 5 days as a course of treatment.

Enhance the care of your dog, focusing on warmth. If your dog is experiencing significant diarrhea, feed them highprotein, highfat food, ensure they get plenty of rest, and encourage them to drink more water. Additionally, switching to easily digestible food can be beneficial.

Administering vaccination against the virus can help boost your dog's ability to resist the infection.