Your dog’s got a mild stomachacheYour dog may stop eating because he feels queasy or ate something bad. If you’re wondering “why is my dog not eating,” one way to tell it’s not something more serious is if your pup bounces back to his normal self pretty quickly, says Megan E. McClosky, DVM, lecturer in internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Even if you suspect a mere bellyache as the reason for your dog not eating, call the vet anyway. “Dogs have pretty good appetites, so if they are picky eaters, especially when that’s accompanied by chronic signs, like occasional vomiting or occasional diarrhea and soft stools, there’s usually an underlying GI problem that requires more attention,” McClosky explains, adding, “That is more common than people realize.” Your vet can rule out the source of the upset, from food allergies to inflammatory bowel disease. Get to the bottom of another concerning canine habit:
Infectious diseases, like parvovirus, or conditions such as pancreatitis can be other reasons for your dog not eating, says Teller. Your pup may even have a life-threatening illness like gastric dilatation and volvulus, which causes the stomach to twist up so nothing passes—or even cancer. When your dog is really sick, shell probably also be lethargic, throw up a lot, have diarrhea or even bloody stools, or cough and sneeze. The time to worry is when your dog isnt behaving normally, especially if she refuses treats or people food or if her appetite waxes and wanes, McClosky notes. Then youll want to alert the vet stat—especially if you see any of these 10 signs your dog is sick.
What are the long term effects of parvovirus in dogs?
By attacking the rapidly dividing intestinal crypt epithelium and destroying the intestinal barrier, CPV causes hemorrhagic diarrhea and may predispose dogs to chronic immunologic diseases. CPV also affects myocardial cells, which can lead to acute heart failure and sudden death in young puppies.
How long does it take for a dog to recover from parvovirus?
The survival rate of dogs treated by a veterinarian is 68 to 92 percent, and most puppies that survive the first three-to-four days make a complete recovery. Recovery times vary depending on the severity of the case, but it usually takes approximately one week for puppies to recover from parvo.
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Treating a puppy with canine parvovirus involves providing supportive care to address the symptoms as your dog fights off the virus. Adequate nutrition is an important part of this care, yet it is often difficult to achieve as parvo puppies suffer from frequent vomiting and nausea.
The first step in feeding a puppy with parvovirus is determining the best way to get the puppy to eat. Veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber reports that “A lot of these dogs dont want to eat, so its a matter of getting them to eat and controlling the vomiting.”
For many years, veterinary professionals and pet owners alike took a different approach to feed parvo puppies — that is, they didnt feed them. This traditional method involved withholding food for up to 3 days, under the assumption this would allow a puppys gastrointestinal tract to recover. Unfortunately, this strategy resulted in numerous undesirable consequences, such as intestinal discomfort, known as “hunger pains,” decreased digestive motility, or even sepsis.
Based on several studies, experts have determined that feeding puppies suffering from parvovirus right away is the best course of action. Prompt feeding reduces inflammation, minimizes vomiting, and decreases pain, among other benefits. This evidence means its even more important to get your puppy eating through one or more of the described methods.
A veterinarian may prescribe medication to help control nausea and stimulate their appetite. Cerenia is a very effective medication that halts nausea in dogs. It also contains mild analgesic properties, which can help your pets belly feel more comfortable. Your veterinarian may also prescribe an anti-diarrheal medication, antacid, or probiotic, depending on your pups condition.
Parvo puppies can become dehydrated very quickly. Therefore, your vet will probably recommend you give your puppy fluids subcutaneously — under the skin — at home. Always follow veterinary advice. However, the veterinary staff can do this for you in the hospital or train you to perform the procedure yourself if youre not comfortable poking your pet with a needle.
Dr. Werber states that there is “no particular parvo diet.” However, veterinarian-recommended foods can be more appetizing to a sick puppy with a poor appetite. Whether its a prescription diet or a home-cooked meal, Dr. Werber states that dog owners should be open to using what works for their sick puppies and do “whatever you can do to get them to eat.” Diets throughout treatment and later during recovery are much the same, although the treatment diet may need to be blander and more digestible to accommodate your puppys sensitive gastrointestinal system.
Your veterinarian may suggest providing your puppy with a high-calorie supplement such as Vetoquinol Nutri-cal or Tomlyn Nutri-Cal. These nutritional supplements come in a tasty gel form and are designed to provide pets with additional calories and vitamins.
A common strategy used in the veterinary hospital is tempting patients with chicken- or beef-flavored baby food. Since the food is soft, its easy for sick puppies to eat with minimal effort. Its also highly digestible. Be sure to check the ingredient label prior to feeding to ensure there is nothing harmful in the baby food, such as onion powder or garlic.
A bland diet is often advised for a variety of medical conditions in dogs and can work well for puppies with parvo, both during the treatment and recovery periods. Feed these in small amounts several times daily. Start with one teaspoon to one tablespoon, depending on the size of your dog. Bland food options include:
Evidence suggests that feeding egg yolks can help a puppy with parvo, as they are not only palatable and easy to eat but may have other benefits. Egg yolks contain vitamins and minerals that may aid in digestion and fight infection in dogs, such as those caused by parvovirus.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is known to help bolster the human immune system for a variety of conditions. Some people believe that it can aid in digestion and offer antibacterial benefits to a pets immune system. Check with your vet before feeding your dog apple cider vinegar, and always dilute it in a large amount of water, as concentrated ACV could be harmful to your puppy.
Some puppies may respond better to a home-cooked diet made from fresh ingredients. Dr. Werber says he finds “No reason not to do it, as long as you get them to eat. Thats the most important thing.” If you decide to make your puppys meals, consult with your veterinarian to ensure your recipe is appropriate for them. Do-It-Yourself homemade kits are available with nutrient blends designed to provide your puppy with all the vitamins and minerals they need. A popular recipe used by breeders and shelters to help dogs gain weight is “satin balls,” a high-calorie formula consisting of ground meat, eggs, and fiber.
Caring for a puppy with parvo can be devastating, especially if the puppy cannot eat and continues to decline. Work with your veterinarian to find a course of action that gets nutrients into your dog to help them fight off the virus and gain strength. You may need to try several food strategies before finding one that works. Trending on LoveToKnow