Can a dog with parvovirus recover without treatment?

Dog parvovirus usually does not recover without treatment. Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that mainly affects unvaccinated dogs and young puppies. The main symptoms of infection are severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. If not treated, the disease almost never resolves itself, and the mortality rate is high. The clinical cure rate can only increase slightly with treatment, so it is best to seek medical attention as soon as possible if a dog is suspected of being infected with parvovirus.

Symptoms of dog parvovirus

Parvovirus has two clinical forms: enteritis and myocarditis. Sometimes, certain enteritis cases also present with myocarditis changes. The enteritis form is characterized by depression, anorexia, increased body temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhage in severe cases. The myocarditis form often has no precursor symptoms, or only mild diarrhea, followed by sudden weakness, difficulty breathing, heart murmurs, and death in a short period. Parvovirus usually infects puppies aged 40 days, when maternal antibodies disappear and the dog's resistance decreases. Infection can occur during diet and environment changes or contact with external pathogens. The best way to prevent disease occurrence is to inject the puppy double vaccine at 28 days of age. The double vaccine can overcome maternal antibody interference and provide antibodies to fight the disease.

How to treat dog parvovirus

The treatment period for dog parvovirus usually ranges from 7 to 10 days. The cure rate depends on the dog's own resistance and the strength of the virus. Clinical manifestations and leukocyte counts in blood routine tests determine the course of treatment. If the dog can survive without developing secondary diseases such as enteric paralysis, sepsis, and anemia after 7 to 10 days, there is a good chance of recovery. To increase the dog's cure rate, it is best to seek treatment at a professional veterinary hospital. Clinical treatment focuses on supportive care, such as intravenous fluid administration to replenish water and energy, followed by anti-vomiting, anti-diarrhea, and anti-inflammatory medications. Biological products are also used to combat the virus.