Parvo in Dogs - An Egg Saved My Dog

by Tanya Keith
(Evansville,IN )

Wolfie got parvo at 4 month of age. I saved him by giving him a raw egg. I had to force feed it to him but it saved his life. He is now almost 2 years old and very healthy. I love Wolfie very much and he is a big part of the family.

Comment from Dog Health Guide Editor

Parvovirus infection in dogs has mainly two clinical forms i.e. of gastroenteritis and myocarditis. Myocarditis is not a common clinical form found in young puppies. It is a generalized condition which causes diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration and weakness.

It’s true that raw egg can help in the treatment and management of a dog with a parvovirus infection. A raw egg has more then 40 different components which are helpful in supporting a dog with parvo. These components include water, proteins, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates etc. If a dog has a mild parvovirus infection and if oral administration of any remedies do not cause the dog to vomit, then this is an effective approach. Moreover, egg white contains components such as Ovalbumin (54%) and Ovomucoids (11%). These components reduce the activity of digestive enzymes, restores the physiology of digestion and as a result an affected dog becomes able to initially tolerate fluids and a liquid diet and after quite some time, regular food.

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for parvovirus infection; one has to use supportive therapies in order to save the life of a clinically infected dog. Management of parvovirus infection is based upon rehydration and the restoration of electrolytes in the body.

Antibiotics are highly prohibited as a support treatment. The use of antibiotics is discouraged in dogs with parvovirus infection. They cause severe immune complications if used in their usual or true doses. In severe cases, to prevent septicemia (blood poisoning) or bacteremia (invasion of bacteria into a dog's bloodstream), preventive doses of antibiotics such as as ampicillin or cephalosporins can be used.


Management of canine parvo is accomplished by either administering fluids and remedies orally, or if a patient cannot tolerate oral administration, fluids and vitamins that are administered intravenously in a veterinarian's office. Food and water should be prohibited until a dog can tolerate both. Dogs that survive the first 2 – 3 days of the disease usually recover.

At home, if your dog has a mild parvovirus infection, one should administer a lot of fluids containing Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), and off course “raw egg”.

Natural remedies such as Parvo-K can also help in the restoration of your dog's physiology. Regular food should not be given until there is a complete recovery.

A good food to try when a dog is able is a product like Pedigree+ Healthy Digestion in Cans. A canned food has more moisture, Chicken and rice help to control diarrhea and vomiting.

In severe parvovirus cases, such as when a dog is vomiting a lot and if the dog's condition worsens very rapidly, consult a veterinarian immediately. The intravenous administration of fluids and electrolytes is the only way to save a dog that is suffering from these problems.

How to Treat Parvo

by Christine
(Albuquerque, NM)

About 2 days ago our 8 month old chihuahua has been extremely sick. Our CoCOa has come down with all the symptoms of Parvo (foaming and constant regurgitation, dehydration, nausea, weakness, and is not eating).

We have received home-care instruction from an animal clinic in our area: Imodium AD (a teaspoon every 6 to 8 hours), Pedialyte (1 teaspoon every hour), Gerber chicken baby food, and Gerber rice cereal, mixing equal amounts of each with the same amounts of water to make a formula and to be given a half a teaspoon every hour.

I realize that it will take time to work but it doesn't seem to be working because every time I give him the water or the baby food within 15-20 minutes he vomits it all right back up. I really don't know what I'm doing is right because I've never done this before to such a small dog, but can you please tell me if there is something else I might be able to do or if what I am doing is right.

I am not able to take CocoaBaby to a animal hospital or animal clinic because I just cant afford it. I really love my dog and he has become a member of our family so please if there is any advice that you may be able to give me it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Editor Response Regarding How to Treat Parvo

Dear Christine,

Sorry to hear about CoCOa's parvo virus symptoms.

It sounds like the recommendations that you got from your local animal clinic regarding how to treat parvo are very good. Concentrate on getting the Pedialyte into your dog, it is more important than food at this point.

Once the vomiting starts to slow you can gradually add in the food mixture. You might also want to try an herbal supplement. One that I’ve heard some good reports about is called Parvaid. Of course, the dogs in the reports might have gotten better on their own, but it worth a try.

Unfortunately, some canine diseases do not get better without hospitalization and some pretty intensive (and expensive) therapies. Canine Parvovirus or severe GI upset of any sort sometimes falls into this category. You do have some options, however. Sometimes an injection of a long acting antibiotic, subcutaneous fluid therapy, which you could learn to do at home, and an anti-vomiting medication will turn a dog around. This does not have to be too expensive, and many clinics will work out a payment plan with you or might even have funds set aside for cases just like yours.

Good Luck!

Jennifer Coates, DVM

Dogs With Parvo Can be Saved

by Kim
(Vancouver, WA)

There may be no cure for the parvo virus but don't let that deter you from trying to save your dog. I have a dog who is part Rott, part Pitt and part Mastiff. She got parvo from an infected back yard at a friends house. As soon as we realized the symptoms we took her to the vet. The vet diagnosed her with parvo and gave us three options. We could put her down, we could pay at least a thousand dollars to put her in the vet hospital, or we could do home remedies and hope for the best. The doctor gave her anti-biotics and a shot to help her vomiting and we took her home. We cared for her around the clock... force fed her baby food and Karo syrup, water, and chicken broth. We never left her side and every two hours made sure some kind of liquid made it down her throat.

She survived. Lettie is a year old now and as strong and as big as ever. Don't let anyone tell you that if your dog is diagnosed with parvo that it's a death sentence. If you are willing to invest some time and care your dog is save-able.

Editor Comment Thanks for sharing this inspirational story and details on how to care for a dog with parvo.

ParvAid Natural Remedy for Parvo in dogs

by Dog Health Guide Reader

My dog had parvo when I adopted him, he got really sick within 2 weeks of bringing him home. I noticed he was tired all the time and then when I took him out to the restroom I saw blood and then took him to the vet where they admitted him on fluids and medicine to help, he only got worse and worse as time went on, he dropped more weight and lost all muscle mass then one day I went in to the vet and they told me his immune count was negative -.0008 and it was best to put him down to end the sufferings,

I decided to go home and think about it hoping he would get better and amazingly the next day the vet called me and told me he was eating again and his count was higher and I could take him home, OVERNIGHT !! So I went and picked him up and brought him home and he was still in horrible shape, laying there weightless and blood was everywhere all the time but I stuck it out kept him eating and drinking and kept him as comfortable as possible, moved his legs for him to help work his muscles
and within a month his counts were getting higher and higher, we had to reteach him how to walk and potty train all over but he got better and better, the vet ended up charging us 3500 and told us that even though he got better he probably wouldn't live past 5 years old because of his heart.

He is now 8 and healthy as can be. And a couple of years ago there was a product released called PARVAID, it basically appeared to cure parvo overnight, you will not find this product in Vets and Vets will never recommend it because it is a herbal remedy but if you can find a local feed store or feed and supply store that carries dog vaccinations and herbal medications you will be able to locate it.

Dog Health Guide Editor Note

Natural remedies do not address Parvo specifically. They help dogs recover by boosting their depressed immune system levels and reduce the effects of any symptoms. They also help to lower the chance that there will be any recurrence of the disease. In addition to ParvAid, you can also help a dogs immune system with natural remedies formulated for the immune system such as Immunity and Liver Support.

Be sure to keep any dog that is getting over Parvo isolated from other dogs since their feces can shed the virus. Be sure to frequently disinfect that area where your dog is living to ensure that any remaining virus is killed. This can be accomplished with a strong cleaner such as bleach or a commercial disinfectant made for this purpose such as Tomlyn Trifectant Disinfectant. Wash any dog toys, bowls etc. with detergent.