6 replies to this topic

[wildzen]

Hello, Canine-loving Kindreds <3

I have a puppy who has Parvovirus, and I wanted to pool some tricks for homecare (what I've heard so far and devised myself, and what any of you might know or have thought of.

I know that hydration is one of the biggest issues. We have fluids to inject under the skin (from the vet), and I have an electrolyte fluid, and a friend mentioned alkaline water (which I haven't had a break to locate and purchase yet, so we may not be able to use). I know some people used a syringe to insert fluids into the mouth, and I am really excited to have remembered/thought of how those water bowls that continuously cycle water are said to encourage animals to drink more. So, my puppy who hasn't drank water out of his bowl for about 17 hours came over and drank gobs of water just now when I poured it slowly from a pitcher into his water bowl. I'm going to try to add a touch of electrolyte water to it next time, I think. Or maybe I will just leave well-enough alone for now (when I keep trying to "make it better", he gets totally on to me and stops partaking in whatever it was). I also made a mixture of electrolyte water and a daily multivitamin made for dogs (details below) that I plan to give via syringe a few times a day if I feel like he is very dehydrated or could use a boost of vitamins.

Nutrition is another concern during this time. I have heard of feeding chicken and rice since it is gentle on the tummy, and I have considered making it into a paste if need be (maybe putting a dab on his paw if he will lick it to clean it). I made a dog smoothie this morning that I look forward to using if it feels like he is needing some nutrition -- it is made of chicken, rice, pure pumpkin (helps settle upset tummies), electrolyte water, and a daily multivitamin (called Fidonutrients, which contain essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and digestive enzymes).

Sterilization. A fiend of mine who was a vet assistant said that she thinks that is what makes the biggest difference between the hospital and the home, so I am trying to be as serious about this part as possible. I usually use all green cleaning in my home but am using bleach to clean everything multiple times daily, especially where he defecates and any other bodily fluids. I am using puppy shampoo to wash his backside and paws after defacating/going into the backyard (which is sprayed the patio down with bleach water) and I let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing off. I am using disposable gloves and papertowels to clean body fluids and marching it straight out to the dumpster (routine cleaning I am doing with cloths that get washed in bleach water). I am washing any bedding he sleeps on every night with bleach and plan to replace his dog beds once he is all better.

Medicine. He is taking 2 different antibiotics (1 is for his digestive track) and a pain reliever (and I am putting fluids under the skin every evening). I have also heard of some of my more nature-oriented mama friends feeding them expressed breastmilk. One of my friends swears that was how she (without medication) cured her puppy a year ago at home. I understand some vets don't recommend mixing the milk of different species (which baffles me since we drink cows milk and some drink goats milk), but I figured I would share anyway. If I could pump (I gave my pump away), I would do it.

Some other stuff -- trying to keep his stress levels low (which is hard as a single homeschooling mama of 3, ages 12, 4, and 1). Giving him LOTS of comfy spaces and love whenever he even thinks he might need it. I don't want to bug him too much, though, either. I want him to have plenty of space for quiet dark self-healing.

I have been gauging his wellness a few different ways. The first is the fluids that come from him. The second is his ability to move around comfortably. And the third is how easily excitable he is when one of the cats runs by him.

I'm really excited to hear any other tips or tricks <3 Thanks in advance:))

Edited by wildzen, 10 March 2011 - 05:11 PM.

[Kim]

It's great that you're thinking of every possible way to help Kaize recover, and you'll probably get some good suggestions from the dog-savvy IMOM'ers.  But I would also urge you to discuss with the vet any diet change, supplements, etc., that you're considering for the puppy -- to make sure there are no risks.  In particular, I would ask the vet about milk because you don't want to give a parvo puppy anything that might cause diarrhea!  

Did the vet discuss with you a vaccination schedule for Kaize once he's well enough to vaccinate?

Edited by Kim, 10 March 2011 - 06:33 PM.

[wildzen]

Thank you for the reminder about checking with the vet for diet changes. I checked with vet for everything, except the breastmilk because I didn't do it, and it probably depends on the vet. I have also been doing a lot of research today and found out about something called Thermaflu (oh, I hope I spelled that right! If not, I will come shae the  corrected name ) It is supposed to be great for those of us who caught it early on, and it's for humans and must be prescribed (which a vet can do), but I figured I would toss that into the mix )

I haven't discussed his vax schedule yet. Honestly, the vet didn't seem to have much hope for my boy! She was so very grave. I do understand the seriousness of Parvo, but I wonder if she was worried we were doomed before we even started? I will discuss vax schedules when I go back to return the supplies they loaned me

A couple other things I have read is rubbing corn syrup on the gums to keep the blood sugar from dropping too low -- someone mentioned Gatorade for the same reason. And I also heard those breakfast shakes (like Carnation instant breakfasts) mixed with pedialite.

With our boy, we have been very careful about his fever. I want to make sure he can get warmer when he needs to or cooler when he needs to, so if I see him snuggling with the blanket, we cover him up and see if he likes it. Sometimes he doesn't seem to want it, so we take it back off and try again a bit later (this always fluctuates so much, right?).

Another thing, I was thinking about how chemo patients lose interest in eating because everything makes them sick, so eventually they run out of foods that don't cause the stomachto lurch. So, I have been careful about introducing different foods (like tonight was cottage cheese), with the understanding that it may come back up, but we can try something new tomorrow. He actually licked a bit of the cottage cheese off my fingers, after turning his nose up to the chicken soup I made him <3

As mentioned, please feel free to check with the vet before introducing some foods and such, to make sure it will help and won't hurt <3

[TigresMeow]

Something else to consider is bleaching the bottoms of shoes.  Most people don't think about that and the parvo virus can travel on shoe bottoms.  And I don't think it's Theraflu, I think it's Tamiflu.  I could be wrong tho.  Parvo is a nasty virus and I sure hope your boy gets better soon.

[Kim]

Kat, you're right - it's Tamiflu.  There's anecdotal evidence that it can help kittens in the early stages of distemper, but I don't know if that's true for parvo in dogs.  

Again, "wildzen," I can't stress enough that you need to talk to your vet before giving the puppy anything that wasn't prescribed.  The Internet has lots of helpful info, but there's also a lot of crap out there and unless you know enough to tell the difference, it can be dangerous.  

Granted, you do have to keep Kaize eating, but in general, diet changes can cause diarrhea so be careful about him getting dehydrated.

Edited by Kim, 10 March 2011 - 11:31 PM.

[JeanKBBMMMAA]

Ditto to talking to the vet. The digestive system of a parvo pup is sloughing out - so anything that irritates the GI tract could make it worse.

Here is a great, accurate article from Marvista Vet:
http://www.marvistav...parvovirus.html

Tamiflu is it, Parvaid is often talked about, I think it's a scam. Again, ask the vet about that.

[Huckleberry Hound]

I would like to urge everyone to tune into 60 Minutes on Sunday evening.

The topic is Counterfeit Drugs.  It might help some to realize just how important it is to stick closely in contact with your vet.