A Holistic Approach to Parvovirus

• Posted on 5 November 2023
• By Dr. Jill Tack
• Posted in dogs, holistic, holistic treatment parvovirus, parvovirus holistic
• 4

Parvovirus is a serious and contagious virus that should not be left untreated. These natural remedies mentioned can be used in conjunction with conventional therapies to save our beloved fur friends.

The parvovirus has hit Pontiac, MI. It's a bit too close to home if you ask us! If you are new to the virus, canine parvovirus type 2, or CPV-2, is a virus that attacks the GI tracts of puppies and dogs. This affects both domestic and wild dogs, as well as unborn puppies.

While puppies are the most susceptible to the virus, dogs with compromised immune systems of all ages and breeds can also contract it. The disease caused by CPV-2, or parvo, is highly contagious and serious. This disease is also known to attack the heart as well as the gastrointestinal tract.

How It Is Spread

Known for being extremely contagious, parvo can be passed from dog-to-dog contact as well as contaminated feces, environments, or even contaminated people. The virus can contaminate everything your dog touches, from its kennel to any humans it encounters.

Parvovirus can withstand different temperatures and humidities. Once it has infected an area, it can remain there for six months to a year. The parvovirus can be easily carried from one location to another via a dog’s hair or feet, a contaminated pet carrier, shoes, and other objects.

Those susceptible have weakened immune systems due to over-vaccination or a previous imbalance, such as an illness or a stressful environment. Stress, something we often don’t associate with contracting a virus, is also an added factor that can make your puppy more susceptible.

The Symptoms

The clinical symptoms of parvo present themselves as a sudden onset of:

• Depression
• Dehydration
• Vomiting (may be bloody)
• Severe and often bloody diarrhea (may also be watery and foul-smelling with an orange-yellow color)
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Small fluid-filled blisters in the mouth

Diagnoses of parvovirus are typically based on its clinical signs, but laboratory tests will show the virus. Blood tests also typically show a deficiency of white blood cells.

Dehydration can occur rapidly as a result of diarrhea and vomiting, especially in very young puppies (which are often the most prominent symptoms). Death from parvo usually occurs within 48-72 hours after the onset of the symptoms, which makes it vital to react when you see these symptoms and begin remedies immediately.

Treatment Options

Beware of searching for this virus on the Internet! There are many local online sources of fear-mongering, and while this certainly is a serious and potentially fatal illness, it can and has been cured.

Conventional Treatment

The conventional approach to treating parvovirus is first to rehydrate the dog through electrolytes. These can be given to the dog either orally, subcutaneously (under the skin), or intravenously, depending on how serious the dehydration is.

On rare occasions, blood transfusions are adopted into the procedure. Drugs are then prescribed to slow the vomiting, followed by a mixture of antibiotics and NSAIDs to control the inflammation in the gut and to prevent secondary infection. However, even with intensive medical treatment and support (which can be expensive), a lot of dogs succumb to the virus and die when left untreated and/or treated conventionally.

Naturopathic Treatments

In addition to Western medicine, we can also use naturopathic remedies from our Eastern world to slow down the fast-moving progression of the virus. Naturopathic treatments may include homeopathics, minerals, flower remedies, essential oils, and herbs. At The Pet Beastro, we have many ways to prevent and treat parvovirus that are affordable and truly address the issue at hand.

Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathics considered for this virus would include Aconite, Phosphorus, and Arsenicum Album.

Aconite – Aconite is always a good remedy to use at the sudden onset of symptoms but is often considered for when stress, chill, fever, and hypersensitivity are involved.

Phosphorus – Phosphorus is the remedy of choice when there is blood in the vomit and/or stool. This remedy can also control gastric symptoms such as vomiting in profuse amounts, severe diarrhea, and nausea.

Arsenicum Album – Arsenicum Album is the main remedy to help with the early onset stages of diarrhea. Arsenicum is often known as the “food poisoning” remedy, so it is easy to picture what set of symptoms your pet is experiencing if you have ever had the joy of eating something that didn’t agree with you.

In an acute situation, you would do homeopathics often (every few minutes to start) until you start to see improvement in your pet. Once you begin to see improvement, you will then space out the doses or stop altogether.

Mineralization

Minerals are often a main source of depletion when the body allows a virus or bacteria to invade to the point of causing extreme anguish to the digestive tract. At The Pet Beastro, we often like to use tissue salts (also known as cell salts) to remineralize the body quickly. These are supplements that are easily absorbable and quickly allow minerals to rebuild in the body.

Calc Flour – Calc Flour is often known as the virus resistor because of the natural fluorine. When fluorine is deficient, the body allows viruses to invade.

Nat Mur – Nat Mur is great at balancing the water in the body at a cellular level, especially when dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea are the main symptoms.

Bioplasma – Bioplasma is all 12 cell salts combined together. It does a great job at helping all the body systems to rebalance.

When in a crisis, two pellets can be given every 10 minutes for several hours until symptoms improve.

Flower Remedies

Flower remedies can often help with puppies' emotional state, especially those stressed out from kennel situations. Our standard medical care does not repair the emotional and mental state of our pets, which we feel need attention in order to heal the whole body.

Star of Bethlehem – This flower remedy restores all forms of mental, emotional,  and physical shock, helping to bring calmness back to the pet’s well-being. This can also be used for shock associated with intense emotional or physical pain.

Walnut – Walnut helps with adapting to new changes or circumstances. Most pets need walnut to help with the new home environment when they are brought home as puppies. Walnut is often indicated for animals hospitalized for long periods, along with using anesthesia.

Elm – This is the main remedy used for overwhelmed animals and people. In a case where a companion may have parvovirus, I would take this remedy for myself and my pet to help with everyone’s overwhelming feelings. This is great for dogs that feel inadequate and helps to restore competence, efficiency, and resistance.

Olive – Olive is great for mental and physical exhaustion. This remedy is useful for weak, sick, exhausted animals and those who suffer from long, stressful conditions.

Essential Oils

Immune Strength – This essential oil blend from Rocky Mountain Essential Oils is a blend of clove bud, cinnamon bark, lemon, orange, oregano, red mandarin, thyme, ajowan seed, rosemary, nutmeg, ginger root, and eucalyptus citriodora. It helps support many body systems, including the adrenal glands, digestive system, and lymphatic systems, while helping to fight off viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites,  and other microbes that may exist in your environment. This would be a great blend to diffuse within the home to make sure the parvovirus doesn’t affect other animals that you may come into contact with outside of your home. Click here to purchase this essential oil through our online market.

Spice for Life – This essential oil blend comprises cinnamon, lemon, lime, orange, oregano, and ravensara. The elements of this blend are known to fight bacteria and viruses, especially when they are airborne. It stops the bacteria and virus' ability to replicate and in return, builds the immune system of the person or pet that is exposed to this essential oil blend.

Tea Tree – This is one of the most well-known antiviral essential oils. This is great to diffuse in the home, clean the puppy’s crate with, and kill viruses and bacteria in your laundry, bedding, and clothes if you think you may have come in contact with parvovirus.

Lavender – This single essential oil is great for very young animals with its calming, soothing, and antiviral effects. I would suggest lavender essential oil for very stressed-out young puppies. This can be used topically when diluted according to the puppy's weight as well as diffused within the home or kennel environment. Click here to purchase this essential oil through our online market.

Herbs

Garlic – Garlic is one of the most well-known immune boosters. It is best to use individual cloves when they are freshly minced, but you can also use the encapsulated version. Garlic contains antibacterial, anticancer, nutritive, antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-parasitic properties. It contains many nutrients, including potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, vitamin A, thiamine, niacin, taurine, zinc, and many others. Garlic is also known for its immune-boosting constituents and its uncanny ability to seek out and destroy cancerous cells.

Nature’s Sunshine VS-C – This antiviral herbal formula is useful for viral disorders in which the immune system is weak. It is effective against many infections as well. This immune-supporting formula is a combination that Chinese herbalists would describe as a “metal-enhancing” formula. These herbs create a favorable environment for microbial balance and overall health. Click here to purchase this herb through our online market.

Prevention

Parvovirus is a serious virus and should not be left untreated. The above natural remedies mentioned can be used in conjunction with conventional therapies. I often believe that when conventional medicine has nothing left to give us, we deploy traditional therapies and remedies to save our beloved fur friend.

Stop by our retail locations in Madison Heights, Michigan, just north of Detroit, or in Warren, Southeast Corner of East 14 Mile Road and Schoenherr, which are open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm, and Sundays from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Also, visit our 24/7 natural pet food treats, toys, and supplies store online. Please message us on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok if you need suggestions on any of the natural remedies we offer.