Canine Parvoviral Enteritis, commonly called Parvo, is a virus found in dogs that causes them to develop severe diarrhea while losing appetite for food and vomiting uncontrollably. Parvo spreads through contact and feces of sick dogs by entering through the oral route of the dogs and traveling to the lymphatic system, replicating itself and destroying the production of white blood cells.

Parvo also attacks the blood vessels and can cause sepsis. Usually, it is spread by and to unvaccinated dogs. It can infect food and water bowls, kennels, leashes, soil, clothes, and toys that touch the feces or the infected dogs. Under the right conditions, Parvo festers in environments that are not disinfected. Rottweiler, Bull Terrier, Doberman pinscher, German shepherd, and Labrador Retriever breeds are more susceptible to the virus; however, all dogs can get this virus, even your cocker spaniel. Read this essential guide to understanding survival chances and effective treatments for your beloved pet.

How Do I know my Cocker Spaniel will Survive Parvo?

Time is a huge factor in the treatment of Parvo symptoms. Parvo can get treated if the condition is detected early. It causes lethargy, uncontrolled stooling, vomiting, and loss of regulation of body temperature. You know your cocker spaniel will survive when stooling episodes stop and it can now eat. Barring any further complications that can arise from secondary infections, your dog will be better in no time.

Usually, dogs begin responding to treatment after three (3) weeks of round-the-clock care. The survival rate of Parvo infected dogs is at a high 90% which means that if you get your dog into the Veterinarian on time, he will most likely survive. Also, if your dog has no underlying medical conditions, the probability of recovery is high. A few dogs develop complications from the intense vomiting, dehydration, and sepsis typical of the Parvovirus. When this happens, it can be hard to save them.

Progression of the Parvovirus

From the time a dog contracts Parvo through contact with the virus, it takes as early as 3 to as many as 14 days for the virus to invade and replicate itself enough to start showing symptoms. These range from Bloody diarrhea, Dehydration, and Vomiting to Fever, Lethargy, and Weakness. The dog becomes withdrawn and depressed as a result of these symptoms.

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to the survival of Parvo. After diagnosis and treatment have commenced, your cocker spaniel will begin to show apparent recovery signs after a couple of weeks as its body begins to fight back and rebuild its defenses. Round-the-clock care is necessary for survival. According to the rate at which your dog responds to treatment, it can come home with you where you can complete treatment and nurse it back to health.

What is the treatment therapy for Parvo?

The first step to treating Parvo is applying fluid therapy, which restores the electrolyte balance. This balance is necessary because Parvo attacks the intestinal lining and causes an inability for the villi to replicate itself and thus sufficiently absorb nutrients. The fluid therapy, administered through intravenous means, deals with the fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance caused by vomiting and diarrhea.

Secondly, antibiotics help the dog fight any secondary bacterial infections that may result from a decreased production of white blood cells or any bacteria leaking into the bloodstream.

Thirdly, antacids soothe and settle the belly, while anti-nausea drugs that stop vomiting help reduce vomiting, to increase the chances of absorbing nutrients.

Fourthly, diet and Probiotics are great at restoring the good flora in the intestines, ultimately helping with nutrient absorption.

How do I know my dog is recovering from Parvo?

When your cocker spaniel begins to recover from Parvo, its intestine starts to develop good bacteria and process food. Parvo stools are bloody, watery, and light yellow and have a distinct smell. The formation of good bacteria in the gut causes the color of its stool to begin to turn back to a healthy dark chocolate color.

Other signs that your cocker spaniel is well on its way to recovery are weight gain and cessation of vomiting. It regains the ability to control the temperature of its body and starts to regain lost energy. Anti-nausea medications help reduce vomiting so that your spaniel can keep food down, but after about two weeks, it should do so without any help from the drugs.

How do I prevent my dog from getting Parvo?

  • Dogs that have contracted Parvo begin shedding the virus even before they show symptoms, throughout the treatment period and as long as two weeks after recovery. Hence keeping your dog away from other infected dogs is very important.
  • A few vaccinated dogs have fallen ill from Parvovirus, but the probability of that happening is very slim. Before your cocker spaniel has completed the vaccination schedule at 16 weeks, it is advisable to keep it from very public places like public dog parks where infected dogs could have left the virus.
  • Limit your exposure to other dogs until your pup has finished taking all its parvo vaccines. Since Parvo can stay under the fingernails and clothes of people who come in contact with infected dogs, you should stay away from other dogs until you are sure your dog is at low risk.
  • Do not introduce a new dog into the family until your dog has completed its round of vaccines. You can check out our dog vaccinations complete guide to learn more about each vaccine and determine the best schedule for your pet’s health and safety.
  • It is necessary to be careful because Parvovirus has no cure. Ensure that you report any symptoms to your Vet immediately after you notice them.
  • Make sure that dams are well vaccinated so that they can protect their pups in the first few weeks of life.

Is there an outbreak of Parvo?

You might be wondering why you’re hearing so much about Parvo these days and if it is related to the coronavirus. The lockdown increased the rate of dog adoptions and decreased the rate of vaccinations. People who wanted to walk their dogs came in contact with sick dogs or their feces, toys, or other material and caught the virus.