Parvovirus: What It Is And How It Is Treated
When your dog suddenly begins to act strange, you may wonder if there is something severely wrong with it. If the dog begins to act weak or lethargic, it could have a serious illness, and you may want to take it to an animal hospital to find out what is going on. Lethargy, weakness, and stumbling can be signs of many things, including parvovirus.
What is parvovirus?
Parvovirus is an extremely contagious disease that dogs can get if they are not vaccinated against it. Your dog can get this disease if it comes in contact with feces contaminated with the virus. The feces can be from other dogs, or from other animals. If your dog has parvovirus, it will need immediate medical help for it. Your dog might have parvovirus if it is:
- Acting unusually weak
- Not eating
- Stumbling around
- Vomiting
Parvovirus affects a dog quickly and can be deadly. This virus goes straight to the intestines and begins attacking them. The virus may also begin to actually eat the dog’s intestines, and the dog may end up with other types of problems too. If you suspect that your dog may have parvovirus, take it to an animal hospital like Marcum Road Animal Hospital. A veterinarian will run tests on the dog, which will confirm whether it is parvovirus or not. If it is, your dog will need treatment for it right away.
How is it treated?
Once the vet confirms that the dog has parvovirus, it is likely that your dog will need to spend a few nights at the animal hospital. The vet will use a variety of different medications to treat the dog, and this generally includes:
- Giving the dog antibiotics – Antibiotics can help control the infection caused by parvovirus, and these are generally given orally.
- Putting an IV on the dog – When a dog is suffering from parvovirus, it can easily dehydrate. Attaching an IV is a great way to keep fluids in the dog, and this will prevent dehydration from occurring.
- Administering vitamins to the dog – The vet may also want to give the dog vitamins to boost its immune system during this time.
- Selecting a special diet for the dog – The vet may also give the dog rice and boiled chicken. Both of these foods are good sources of protein, which the dog will need during this time.
With the right help, a dog with parvovirus can survive, but timing is critical. If your dog begins to act in weird ways, take it to an animal hospital quickly for help.
