Canine Parvo Protocol and Treatment
© Chris Jones 2011
What do you do when your puppies come down with Parvo?
First of all I want to say that Parvo vaccines seem to be very effective. This is my first experience with
Parvo virus (CPV) in 35 years of showing and breeding Shih Tzu. My puppies recently became infected
due to the Parvo virus epidemic in our area of southeastern Arizona. They were due to have their
second booster vaccination. There vaccines were due in 2 days when the first one came down with an
acute case of lethargy. The next day another one started. They had very loose stools. Actually I may have
been out of town when it all started, as my dog sitter and friend, Rose had called me in Tucson to tell me
the puppies had loose stool. It was a mess she reported. I thought at that time that she might have
simply overfed them or given them rich treats.
The puppies’ stools weren’t bloody as often mentioned in Parvo warnings. They were very foul smelling
and had a yellowish tinge to them. I have to be honest and say here that I give my vaccines later than
most people. I have a very protected and what is termed a “closed” environment so I felt a rather false
sense of security here, thinking the dogs and puppies were safer than most who are exposed to outside
forces and new dogs, roaming exposures, etc. I also consider heavily the vaccine manufacturer
instructions rather than the veterinarian who sells many vaccines and relies heavily on the drug
company representatives. The vets tend to see a lot of unprotected, unguarded and many dogs not as
carefully managed as my own. I was a little complacent knowing this method of late vaccination had
always worked well for me in the past. I have very healthy dogs and always have. The vaccine
manufacturer states the vaccines should be given after the end of nursing to avoid interference with
maternal antibodies. My puppies weaned very late as their mother allowed them to nurse for quite a
while longer than most mothers would normally tolerate. The sire was all my own breeding. I had been
told by people who had my dogs who were exposed to Parvo that they never showed any signs. They
often asked me what I did to prevent it. I didn’t know anything special. Just perhaps they had strong
immune systems due to a great start in life with good genetics and environmental support in the form of
excellent nourishment (freshly cooked and top quality food) and daily care.
The adult dogs had no signs of the disease at any time to this day. I have given annual Parvo boosters as
recommended by my veterinarian. She says since the Indian Reservation is nearby and dogs are
unvaccinated there, this is something to be done without question. I am glad I took her advice in this
regard. This is why I say the vaccines appear to be very effective. The virus was everywhere and on
everything. I washed constantly using the sanitary cycle and constantly used odor removers on
everything I laundered. The adults were constantly exposed during the entire process of the virus’
existence.
The puppies who succumbed in the middle of the Parvo outbreak faired the best and recovered the
fastest. Whether this was a fluke or their personalities or perhaps because they have their own stronger
immune systems, I can only guess. More than likely it’s a combination of these factors. The one who
contracted the virus first, little Charger had it the longest and was off his feet and feed the longest. This
could be in part because I did not react quickly enough. At first I thought he had just over eaten or eaten
something he shouldn’t. The last two did have the bloody, foul smelling runny stool and terrible lethargy
and appeared at times to be almost comatose in their extreme weakness. They both had to spend a day
at the vet clinic having IV fluids in addition to all the other medication, hydration treatment and TLC they
received. These three were all in eminent danger of losing their lives to Parvo virus.
Some things I would like to mention here is the fact that the vet my friend, Dr. Debbie Salazar, not only
used regular Ringers lactate bags but also had me rotate them with some Ringers laced with Penicillin
and B 12. This is very necessary to support the fight against secondary infection and provide some boost
to the body in terms of stimulating the appetite and energy level. At one point I had called in and asked
if the vet had some immune stimulation products such as those used for horses. I was told they did have
one that worked pretty well. I requested that and it was given to the two puppies that needed it. We
were grateful that when things got to looking bad, we were able to request additional medication even
though we had to leave the puppies at the clinic for a day to get the IV’s needed to help them fight the
virus.
Then for home care, for the worst two, we were given addition support as needed in the form of Medi
Cam for inflammation and pain. This was deemed necessary when one of the puppies cried in pain at
the sites of fluid retention. (I’m told this is a common occurrence when large amounts or sub Q fluids
are given. They surrender to gravity and can stress delicate tissue.) For the last two puppies who were
not responding as well – one even had a relapse after trying to fight it off- these two received Orbax, a
strong and concentrated antibiotic as well. It was administered in a very small dose every 24 hours.
Proper hydration in the form of subcutaneous fluids can’t be emphasized enough. Vomiting and diarrhea
can quickly dehydrate a puppy and result in dire consequences in regard to electrolyte imbalance,
effecting vital organ function and even result in death.
Support for these extremely sick puppies also came in the form of temperature control. The fluids can
lower their body temperature and they have to be kept warm. They also need to be kept quiet and dry.
Cleaning the environment constantly is vital. Using clean hands and supplies are of course essential to
stopping the virus from spreading and adding bacterial contamination to the mix.
I want to thank my friend Dan for coming over to hold, warm, offer affection and help with the little
ones and their care and for supporting me through the ordeal. My dog sitter and friend, Rose was sick
herself and of course didn’t want to unnecessarily expose her little Brie to the virus. Thanks to Rose and
all the friends who called and cared. The shizzies and I would like to thank you all, especially- Debbie,
Tammy, Jennifer, Jenna and all for your help and support during this very physically and emotionally
trying time. The puppies have all fully recovered. They’ve all regained their weight and vigor. We are so
thankful!
“Adori “ owned and loved by Ruth Mc Michael and Sharon Crosby)