Tips for Moving With Pets: Ideas for Pet Owners

Recuperative Treatments For Dogs Recovering From Parvo

21 October 2015 by Lily Berger

For dog and owner alike, the ordeal of a dog suffering from a bout of parvovirus can be very distressing and draining, and you may be tempted to relax once your dog has fought off the active virus and is out of immediate danger. However, parvo is notorious for inflicting lingering effects that persist for weeks or even months after infection has passed, and your dog will still require some treatments to help them regain their strength. Your veterinarian will work closely with you when it comes to helping your dog recover fully, but here are some of the main precautions to protect your recovering dog:

Medications

Your dog will almost certainly have been put on a course of antibiotic and antiviral treatments to help its immune system fight off the infection. Never cease a course of antibiotics or antiviral medication before the full course of treatment has been administered, no matter how well your dog appears to have recovered. Dormant traces of parvovirus can linger for several days or weeks within the bloodstream of an infected dog, even after the active infection is stopped.

In terms of supplementary treatments, you should not administer any medications yourself without first consulting your vet. Some herbal treatments are available and may be effective, although some contain potentially harmful compounds such as colloidal silver, and should be avoided.

Vet clinic treatments

Your recovering dog may also require medications and treatments that can only be administered by a vet, depending on whether they suffer any complications during recovery. This usually involves blood tests, since dogs recovering from parvo often have low levels of potassium and glucose in their bloodstream. You will also need to take your dog to the clinic if it is still taking fluids intravenously at home, and you should never neglect appointments to have your dog's IV drip inspected and cleaned..

Regaining weight and strength

Keeping your post-parvo dog well fed and hydrated is possibly the most important part of any recovery regimen, and this is especially true during the first few days after your dog has beaten the infection. It is common for diarrhoea to persist for several days after a bout of parvo, so making sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh, clean water is vital.

Your dog will also have lost a considerable amount of weight, and will likely be ravenously hungry after being unable to digest food properly for so long. However, you should only feed your dog very small, regular meals for the first few days, to prevent your dog gorging itself and damaging its weakened intestinal tract. You may also have to put your dog on a temporary specialised diet, depends on what your vet advises - some dogs may require high calorie dog food mixes to help them regain strength quickly, while others may be prescribed high fibre mixes to mitigate the effects of diarrhoea. 

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