Parvo is a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that affects puppies and dogs. As a concerned pet owner, you want to know the signs that indicate your puppy is on the road to recovery after contracting parvo.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The main signs your puppy is getting over parvo include returning appetite, increasing energy levels, keeping down food and water, and having normal stools again.
In this comprehensive article, we will cover all the signs in detail you can watch for to monitor your puppy’s recovery from parvo. We’ll also provide information on parvo transmission, symptoms, treatment, and prevention so you can fully understand what your pup went through and ensure a full recovery.
Understanding Parvo in Puppies
How puppies get parvo
Parvovirus, commonly known as parvo, is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect dogs. Puppies are especially susceptible to contracting parvo due to their underdeveloped immune systems.
The parvovirus is spread through contact with infected feces or environments contaminated with the virus. It can be easily transmitted from dog to dog or by contact with contaminated surfaces, food/water bowls, collars, leashes, or the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.
Some of the most common ways puppies can get infected with parvo include:
- Coming into contact with the feces of an infected dog at parks, shelters, or boarding kennels
- Walking in yards or areas contaminated with infected feces
- Coming into contact with people or objects carrying the virus on their hands, shoes, or clothing
- Eating from contaminated food or water bowls
- Sniffing infected feces or environments where infected dogs have been
Due to its extreme contagiousness, puppies that are not fully vaccinated against parvo are at high risk of infection. Vaccination helps provide immunity, but puppies remain vulnerable until they have completed their entire vaccination series around 16 weeks of age.
Extra precautions should be taken before then to avoid exposure.
Common symptoms of parvo
The parvo virus attacks rapidly growing cells like those in the intestines and bone marrow. Symptoms often appear within 3-10 days after exposure.
Early signs of parvo infection include:
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Diarrhea (often bloody)
As the disease progresses, dangerous dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can occur due to severe vomiting and diarrhea. Secondary infections are also common.
Some puppies may display symptoms of heart failure, sepsis, or shock, which can ultimately lead to death in severe cases. The mortality rate ranges from 10-90%, depending on the puppy’s age, immune function, and if treatment is received quickly.
If your puppy is displaying any signs of parvo, immediate veterinary attention is crucial. With supportive care and treatment, many puppies can make a full recovery.
Signs Your Puppy is Recovering from Parvo
Regaining appetite
As your puppy starts to feel better, their appetite will return. At first, they may only nibble at their food. But as they continue to improve, their interest in food and treats will increase. Offer small, frequent meals of a bland diet like boiled chicken and rice to start.
If they keep it down, gradually transition back to their regular puppy food. A good sign they are on the mend is if they finish most or all of their meals and look for more.
Increasing energy levels
Lethargy and weakness are common parvo symptoms. As the infection clears and fluids and nutrition are restored, your puppy will start to perk up. At first, they may lift their head, wag their tail a few times, or get up to drink or go potty.
As they continue to regain strength, you will notice them moving around more, wanting to play, and acting more like their usual energetic puppy self. More frequent and longer periods of activity are positive signs.
Keeping down food and water
A major issue with parvo is vomiting and diarrhea, which leads to dehydration. If your puppy starts keeping down small meals and water, it means their stomach is settling and their body is rehydrating. This helps replenish important fluids, preventing dangerous electrolyte imbalances.
According to the American Kennel Club, once a puppy can keep down bland food for 12-24 hours, they are likely past the worst of the infection.
Having normal stools
Severe, bloody diarrhea is a trademark parvo symptom. As your puppy’s infection clears and their intestinal lining starts to heal, their poops should start returning to normal. Keep an eye out for stools that are more solid, regaining their regular color and texture.
This shows their gut function is improving. You may also notice them needing to go less frequently as diarrhea resolves. By the tail end of infection, their potty habits should be back to a normal puppy pooping schedule.
Acting like their usual self
As awful as parvo makes puppies feel, they are often still sweet and affectionate whenever they are awake. So if your puppy starts wagging their tail happily when you walk in the room, wants to snuggle and give kisses, or is excited about toys or treats, take it as a good sign they must be feeling better.
The more they act like their normal, energetic, playful puppy self, the healthier they likely are.
Gaining weight back
Due to digestive issues and inappetence, puppies with parvo often lose significant weight. According to the AKC, a puppy can lose as much as 20% or more of their body weight while fighting the virus. But if they are keeping food down and absorbing nutrients properly again, they will start to regain the weight they lost.
Weigh your puppy regularly during recovery so you can celebrate each extra ounce as a step in the right direction.
Caring for Your Puppy’s Recovery
Keeping your pup hydrated
Dehydration is a major concern when puppies have parvo. The vomiting and diarrhea associated with parvo can quickly lead to dangerous levels of dehydration. It’s crucial to give your puppy frequent, small amounts of an oral rehydration solution recommended by your vet.
This helps replace lost electrolytes and provides calories. Don’t give your puppy regular water, as this can upset their stomach. Monitor urine output to ensure they are taking in enough fluids.
Feeding bland foods
While your puppy recovers from parvo, stick to a bland diet of boiled chicken, rice, sweet potatoes or pumpkin. These gentle foods are easy on your pup’s sensitive stomach. Avoid dairy, spices and fatty foods. Only reintroduce your puppy’s regular food gradually once symptoms have resolved.
Small, frequent meals are easier to digest. Consult your vet on the best diet as your puppy regains strength.
Disinfecting the environment
The parvovirus is extremely contagious and can survive in the environment for months. Thoroughly clean and disinfect your home and yard to prevent reinfection or spreading parvo to other dogs. Use a dilute bleach solution and scrub all floors, crates, bowls, toys and outdoor areas your puppy accessed.
Wash any bedding and towels in hot, soapy water. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service if the case was severe.
Avoiding stress and overexertion
While parvo weakens your puppy’s immune system, it’s important to avoid anything that could stress them further. Keep activity to a minimum and make sure they have a quiet, comfortable area to rest and recover. Extra snuggles and words of encouragement can lift their spirits.
Exposure to other pets or novel environments could allow secondary illnesses to take hold.
Attending follow-up vet appointments
Your vet will want to see your puppy for progress exams after treatment for parvo. Bloodwork helps determine if the virus has been eliminated from your puppy’s system. Weight and hydration will also be monitored closely.
Your vet may recommend probiotics, vitamins and a specialized diet to aid recovery. Follow all instructions carefully to prevent relapse or long-term effects from parvo.
Preventing Parvo in Puppies
Vaccinating puppies
Vaccination is the best way to prevent parvo in puppies. Puppies should receive a series of vaccinations starting at 6-8 weeks of age, with boosters every 2-4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old. The initial vaccine at 6-8 weeks provides partial protection, so it’s important to continue boosters until the puppy is fully vaccinated at 16 weeks.
Vaccinated puppies have a much lower risk of contracting parvo.
There are a variety of parvo vaccines available, including those that protect against a combination of diseases like distemper and adenovirus. Work with your veterinarian to determine the best vaccination schedule and vaccines for your puppy based on their age and risk factors.
Some vaccines may even provide protection within 72 hours of administration, helping protect puppies during this critical developmental window.
Quarantining infected dogs
Dogs infected with parvo shed the virus in their feces and saliva and can easily transmit it to unvaccinated puppies. Quarantining infected dogs is crucial to prevent the spread of parvo. Infected dogs should be confined away from other dogs for at least 2 weeks beyond recovery to allow the virus to clear their system.
Quarantine areas should also be thoroughly disinfected, as the parvo virus can live in the environment for months. Any items used for infected dogs, like food bowls, toys, and bedding, should be discarded or disinfected as well.
Taking these quarantine measures removes sources of the virus and protects puppies.
Disinfecting properly
The parvo virus is extremely hardy and can survive for long periods in the environment. Proper disinfection is key to killing the virus and preventing transmission. Areas frequented by infected dogs should be disinfected with bleach solutions at a 1:30 ratio with water.
All floors, walls, kennels, bowls, and other items should be thoroughly scrubbed and soaked to penetrate porous materials where the virus lingers. Disinfectant products designed for parvo may be more effective than standard bleach, but always check if they are safe for use around puppies.
Avoiding contaminated areas
Areas like dog parks, shelters, and pet stores pose a high risk of parvo exposure due to the presence and excrement of many dogs. Unvaccinated puppies should avoid these high-risk areas until fully vaccinated. Their immune systems won’t be able to fight off the virus yet.
Areas frequented by stray dogs, like sidewalks and grassy areas, may also carry parvo. Avoid walking puppies in these areas. Backyards can also be contaminated by neighborhood dogs or wildlife. Have your yard disinfected before allowing puppy access if concerned.
Watching for early symptoms
Being vigilant for early signs of parvo can help puppies get treatment faster, increasing survival chances. Symptoms usually develop 4-14 days after exposure and include:
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Bloody diarrhea
- Fever
Take puppies showing these signs to the vet immediately for diagnostics and treatment. The sooner treatment begins, the better the prognosis.
Conclusion
Seeing those tail wags return is the greatest joy after nursing your pup through parvo. With vigilance and prompt veterinary care, most puppies make a full recovery. Understanding the timeline of symptoms helps you monitor progress.
By learning the signs of recovery detailed here, you can rest assured your puppy is on the mend. With good aftercare and prevention, your pup will be back to their happy, healthy selves in no time.
