Soon after we brought our ten-week-old foster dog Puppy home, she became very ill with diarrhea and vomiting. We immediately took her to the vet, who diagnosed parvo and put her on IV electrolytes and fluids as well as antibiotics to deal with any secondary infections (parvo itself is caused by a virus and does not respond to antibiotics). Fortunately, she responded to treatment, and as a result of that very traumatic episode, we decided to adopt her. Puppy is still making our lives interesting almost eleven years later.

Parvo, also known as canine parvovirus (CPV), is potentially deadly and very contagious. Veterinary medicine has come a long way since 1978, when most puppies under five months old and as many as 3 percent of older dogs died from CPV. Parvo vaccines were then developed that now largely control the disease.

Nowadays the most at-risk group is puppies between weaning and up to six months of age. Once they’re infected they have a 50-50 chance of survival even with medical treatment. The critical period for parvo recovery is the first four days. If they can get past that period, dogs will probably live and become immune to the virus. Recovery depends on the virulence of the strain, the amount of virus ingested, and the breed. Certain breeds are more susceptible to parvo, including Rottweilers, Dobermans, Pit Bulls and Labs. Parvo cannot be passed from dogs to humans or other animals, but humans and other animals can pass the virus on to dogs.

Where does parvo come from? This virus lurks in the feces of infected dogs. It thrives where groups of dogs hang out, such as dog shows, breeding and boarding kennels, obedience trials, pet shops, animal shelters, parks and playgrounds. The hair or feet of infected dogs or contaminated objects like cages and shoes are likely homes for parvo, and since it’s such a hardy virus, it can survive for up to five months in favorable conditions.

How is parvo diagnosed? Through observing a dog’s symptoms or the rapid spread of vomiting and diarrhea in a group of dogs, or by testing feces for the virus.

Two forms of parvo are known: diarrhea syndrome and cardiac syndrome. Diarrhea syndrome, aka enteritis, can incubate for from five days to two weeks. Dogs with enteritis act like they’re in extreme pain. Other symptoms are depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, high fever and diarrhea. The main danger of diarrhea syndrome is dehydration because of loss of fluids. Puppies can die of shock after only two days, while other puppies and older dogs may recover without any long-term problems.

Cardiac syndrome, or myocarditis, affects puppies under three months old. Myocarditis is harder to diagnose because there are no digestive symptoms. The virus multiplies in the heart’s muscle cells, causing puppies to stop suckling and collapse and die in minutes to days. There is no good treatment for cardiac syndrome and it often causes permanently damaged hearts in survivors.

What is the treatment for parvo? It includes hospitalization with IV fluids, keeping the dog warm, controlling vomiting and diarrhea, force-feeding, serum protein replacement as needed, and corticosteroids or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to control intestinal inflammation.

Suggested natural treatments for parvo are probiotics and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) to restore normal intestinal bacteria, especially if antibiotics have been administered; aloe vera juice; and the herbs boswellia, calendula, chamomile, marshmallow, raspberry leaf, or slippery elm. Homeopathic nosodes have also been employed to control parvo outbreaks, with some success. Be aware that none of these modalities will cure parvo, but they can enhance conventional parvo therapy and help your dog feel better faster.

How can parvo be prevented? Cleanliness, especially among groups of dogs, is vital. Chlorine bleach can kill the virus although most other disinfectants will not. Regular vaccinations (usually every three years) should be given with booster shots every three weeks for puppies until they are four months old. This is because the extent of the puppy’s natural immunity from consuming mother’s milk is not clearly understood. The immunity period has been estimated to be from six weeks to fourteen weeks of age, and maternal antibody to parvo may actually interfere with the effectiveness of a vaccination. Puppies should also be separated from unvaccinated dogs for their protection.

If your dog should contract parvo, take her to the vet for treatment, feed her a bland diet, and keep her isolated for at least a month after she recovers. Pick up any dog poop on your property or during walks. To help prevent the spread of parvo, keep your neighborhood free of dog feces by removing it from sidewalks, gutters, and lawns. As mentioned above, chlorine bleach is an excellent parvo preventative. Use it mixed with water to wash food and water bowls, dog bedding, and to disinfect anything the dog frequents, including floors, crates, rugs, bedspreads, etc. And take any other dogs you may have who are two years old or younger, or those who have not had parvo vaccinations, to the vet for booster shots.

Shawn Messonnier, DVM, Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats
Delbert G. Carlson, DVM and James M. Giffin, MD, Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook