Q&A for How to Tell if Your Dog Has Parvo

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Can older dogs get parvo?

Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.

Ray Spragley, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes, but it's pretty rare and unlikely, especially if they've been vaccinated. You almost always see parvo in puppies between 6 weeks and 6 months of age.

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Question

What does parvo poop look like?

Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.

Ray Spragley, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

A dog with parvo is going to have severe diarrhea, and it should be immediately obvious that your dog isn't defecating normally. There's also going to be blood in their stool.

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Question

How can I treat my dog at home for parvo?

Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.

Ray Spragley, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

You can't. If you suspect your dog has parvo, you need to take them to a vet immediately.

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My puppy is vomiting and mucous in the stool, but no fever. Could this be parvo, even without the fever?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

This doesn't sound typical of parvovirus, but the condition can't be ruled out. Whatever the cause, a vomiting puppy with an abnormal stool should see the vet. Puppies are particularly vulnerable to dehydration, and need to be checked for this, plus treatment for the symptoms.

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Question

Are ear infections in dogs associated with parvo?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

No. Parvo virus is an extremely serious and rapidly progressing disease of the gut. An ear infection is unlikely to be directly related to parvo, although in theory a poorly dog has a weaker immune system and therefore more vulnerable to "add on" infections.

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My dog has problems eating and drinking and is being lazy. What can I do?

Community Answer

Take him/her to the vet, especially if he/she is throwing up or has bloody poop because it could be parvo.

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What should I do for a puppy who has decreased activity and shows discomfort?

Community Answer

This could be something serious, so you should take him to your vet to be sure he is okay.

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My dog is old and she's shaking and not eating. My mum said we can't afford to go to the vet, and that it might not be serious, what should I do?

Community Answer

If it's been two days or more and your dog is not eating, it is serious and you need to take her to the vet. Tell your mum that usually the vet will work with people to come up with a payment plan if you are unable to pay at the time of the visit. They will want to help you and your dog, that's their job.

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Question

How can I tell if my dog has parvo?

Community Answer

Follow the instructions listed in the article above.

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My 14 week old puppy has watery stool and just had two small, bloody mucous smears in it. What is the chance that it is parvo?

Community Answer

There is a good chance it could be that, especially at that age. If he is showing other symptoms, such as laziness or vomiting, take him to your vet.

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My 3 month old puppy has swelling on the right side of its face and neck. Could it be a snakebite?

Community Answer

The best answer is always to go to the vet. If you are worried about your dog's health, make sure to get them medical attention.

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Question

What should I do if my dog won't eat?

Community Answer

If it's been a couple of days, take him to the vet for a diagnosis.

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My dog's stools are black and loose. What should I do?

Community Answer

You should take your dog to the vet immediately. They could be suffering from some kind of intestinal or bowel problem.

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Question

How do I help my dog to survive having the parvo virus?

Community Answer

Your best chance is to have him hospitalized for full supportive treatment (IV fluid therapy for hydration and blood pressure, antibiotics to prevent co-infections and decrease risk of sepsis, anti-nausea meds to fight vomiting, etc.). The earlier treatment starts, the better the chances of survival. This is not a disease that can be taken lightly or be messed around with.

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Question

Is parvo from my dog spreadable to humans?

Community Answer

Parovirus is not dangerous to humans, but it is highly contagious to other dogs. Keep your dog away from other dogs until the virus has cleared up.

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My 5-month-old puppy isn't wanting to eat or drink and just lays around, but has no vomiting or diarrhea. What should I do?

Community Answer

Take your dog to a vet. There is no way to know what to do until you know what is wrong, and the list of possible problems is a long one. However, lethargy and not eating or drinking are very serious and require immediate medical care.

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What do I do if my dog is lethargic and vomiting up everything it eats?

Community Answer

Take your dog to the vet immediately.

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My puppy is drinking but not eating. Is it parvo?

Community Answer

It could be. Take him to your vet to be sure! I wouldn’t jump to conclusions but I’d definitely go get him tested.

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Question

If my puppy has had her shots, but is vomiting, lethargic and not eating well, could she have parvo?

Community Answer

Yes, that is possible. Parvo vaccination failure, especially in young puppies, is known to occur, sometimes even in fully vaccinated adult dogs.

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My dog is vomiting up foam constantly and only wants water, no food; she has lost a lot of weight as well. Could it be parvo?

Community Answer

It could be. In any case, you should take your dog to the vet immediately.

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My dog is shaking, but can still eat and drink. What else can cause this?

Community Answer

Your dog may either be cold or could be hyperglycemic from a unbalanced diet. To make sure your dog is healthy, take him to your vet.

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What do I do if my dog died from parvo?

Community Answer

Disinfect everything! Parvovirus can live outside of the host's body for several months, possibly up to a year or longer. It's highly contagious, so any other dog that comes in contact with infected areas will also contract the virus if they're unvaccinated. You may also choose to burn or throw away some things if they cannot be cleaned thoroughly.

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