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parvo

My daughter took in a dog from a friend who could not keep him .  He is a 6 month old dog who has parvo.  He was seen by the vet on Monday, given meds, food, antibiotics and IV's to keep him hydrated. My question is he refuses to eat.  Any suggestions on how to make him eat? We have tried scambled eggs, chicken broth, boiled chicken, cheese, he refuses to even open his mouth and seems the least bit interested in food.  Today is the 4th day since he developed symptoms.  What do you suggest?
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Avatar universal
Great news! We had a dog that had Parvo and she survived. She had constant diarrhea and constantly vomited so I had to keep her outside (the weather was great so no concern with her being too hot or too cold). Anyway she also survived but we couldn't afford to care for her at that time and found her a new home. I was glad we were there to at least help her recover from the illness. She was back to her rowdy, hyper self once she got to feeling better!
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996946 tn?1503249112
So happy to hear of your wonderful outcome. Your puppy is one lucky dog :)  I know your little daughter is thrilled.  And three cheers for Meiko!
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462827 tn?1333168952
WOW!!!!   What a wonderful update!!!  I'm so glad for you and your little guy!!!
Also, Thanks so much for taking in a homeless pet; you'll never be sorry!!!!
Good luck and keep us updated.....Karla
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Avatar universal
Just a little update my daugter dog is on its way to a full recovery.  He is now eating and drinking.  He even is wagging his tail and kinda like his self again.  I just want to let all of you know that Parvo is not a death sentence.  My little 5 lb dog made it, he is super skinny right now but shows signs of a full recovery!!!
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Avatar universal
Linda,

Thanks so much for your advice.  You all have been wonderful!  Meiko shows some signs of improving today, he wagged his tail, yes I know for some that is nothing , but for us this has been a great sign of encouragement.  For nearly 5 days he has done nothing but lie in his bed, so a wag of a tail is great news for us.  Linda you are so right about the smell, where were you two days ago!
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996946 tn?1503249112
If I were you Rachel, I would move Meiko out of your daughter's room.  If this thing goes the wrong way, you will be glad you moved him.  He will be developing a horrid smelling bloody diahrrea, after that they go into shock from losing blood through hemorrhaging. I hope this doesn't happen but I want you to be aware of what can happen.  The smell of Parvo is unforgettable.  If he does survive you can always move him back into your daughter's room. Just follow the Vet's instructions, which I know you will and keep Meiko as comfortable as possible.
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Avatar universal
Thanks so much for your advice.  Little Meiko is about the same today.    He still refuses to eat and trying to open his mouth to get his meds down is quite a challenge,since he vomits after.  He still is on a IV, so I am glad for this since trying to get chicken broth or even little pieces of rice is nearly impossible.  He is urinating so I know he is getting something down.  It breaks my heart because a once energetic dog is now lathargic and looks so sad!  How long will this go on?  If he is to survive when is it safe to say he will make it? Since Meiko is isolated in my daughters room,  is he contagious to humans?  I had thought it could only be contagious to other dogs?  I have a cat, will he be affected?  
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996946 tn?1503249112
Rachel, I feel so bad for all of you.  My daughter had a dalmation that got Parvo at 4 mo of age back in '03.  It was a horrible thing to go through and we tried everything.  The dog was supposed to have had the first 2 in a series of 3 shots. But I'm not sure the breeder had given the shots.  The dog did not survive.  Hopefully today things are a little different and and the survival rate for this horrific disease has gotten better.  I wiii be praying that he will make it through.
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675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
That was good advice that Brandy_V gave you about keeping the dog isolated.

I've had a look in the archives here and came up with this post:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dogs/how-to-disinfect-the-yard-after-parvo-puppy-recovers/show/755594

...and also this site may have some info. to help you:

http://www.workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm

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Avatar universal
My 12 year old Pittie is also a parvo survivor!  Dont force him to eat but what I did for Bruno was the luke warm chicken broth.  What Ginger told you is correct, and the cleaning protocols is VERY IMPORTANT! It sounds as if Ginger is going to provide those to you!  I can tell you this Do NOT allow him/her around any other dogs at this time. It is best if they are crated or left in a room where they can sleep a lot. He will need 4-5 boosters of his shots once better. I will pray for him!
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675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
Is he at home with her? Usually dogs with the Parvo virus are so desperately and seriously ill, they have to be hospitalized, and monitored carefully.
This virus has such a devastating effect on the gut, that dogs with Parvo usually cannot even keep down water. And most times their antibiotics have to be administered via I.V.

It's true that Parvo victims sometimes don't make it. But I can attest to the fact that some definitely DO, and go on to be very healthy happy dogs. My dog was a victim of Parvo when she was younger. (Before she came to me, her previous owners did not give her the innoculations to keep this, and other diseases at bay.)
When she was discharged from the veterinary hospital after a week there on treatment, she was very very thin, and had to be hand-fed very small amounts gradually, of very light food, like boiled chicken, white rice, pasta. It took her another 2 weeks or more to start to eat enough to put back some weight.

So, don't be surprised if your daughter's dog won't eat. The most important thing at this stage is getting the meds down, and keeping the dog hydrated. And your daughter could ask the vet about any possible food or nutritional thing which could be given to the dog in liquid form for now.
Parvo is so deadly to dogs and so highly infectious, and your daughter should be aware of this. Also the infected dog's feces will remain highly infectious to other dogs wherever she "poops" for quite a long time afterwards. The virus can live a long time in the earth, and definitely inside the house.
I haven't much time to go on about this right now, but there are cleaning protocols which will need to be followed. I'll try & post back later when I have more time, and dig around -see if I can find them.

I'm glad to hear your daughter's dog seems to be getting through this dreadful illness. So far, so good. Keep in close contact with the vet about treatment and feeding.
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