​On Friday, September 6th, my 5-month-old puppy fell ill, vomiting throughout the day and refusing food. The next morning she was taken to the vet, who diagnosed her with parvo and prescribed several medications, including: Injections: Kyro B plus Liver (liver support), Cerenia (for nausea), Synulox (antibiotic), and Dectomax (dewormer).

 

 

The vet recommended hospitalizing my puppy for 3 days for monitoring and IV treatment. However, I declined due to the high cost and concerns about leaving my puppy in an unfamiliar environment. Instead, I chose to care for her at home, and the vet provided additional medication for the next few days:

 

 

- Clopamon (for nausea)

 

- Synulox (antibiotic)

 

- Paracetemol (for pain and discomfort)

 

- Metronidazole (antibiotic)

 

- Darrows Solution (electrolytes)

 

- Diomec (probiotic and electrolyte for diarrhea control)

 

- Hills high-calorie tinned food

 

 

Despite my best efforts, the medication wasn't agreeing with my puppy. Every time I tried to administer a dose, she would vomit it back up. By Sunday evening, I made the difficult decision to stop all medication, since all the vomiting was only making the dehydration worse. I stopped everything except for the Diomec, which was definitely helping control her diarrhea. Sunday was the worst; my puppy was weak and lethargic. But I remained optimistic, and made sure she stayed hydrated and comfortable. And then, on Monday morning, she was better! She was still refusing food, but she was drinking water and her stools were good. I knew that as long as she stayed hydrated, she would be ok. By Tuesday morning there was more improvement. She was still weak, but she was showing interest in food again. I started offering small amounts of cooked chicken, which she tentatively began to eat. By Wednesday morning, she was almost back to her old self - energetic, playful, and hungry! I knew we were in the clear and couldn't help but be proud (and amazed) at how well she recovered on her own.

 

 

As I reflected on our experience, I realized that the perception of parvo as a deadly disease didn't quite align with the facts. While it's true that parvo can be severe, the survival rate for puppies is actually around 85% - a surprisingly high number considering the dire warnings. This disconnect led me to question the purpose of the various medications I was given. Upon closer examination, I realized that none of the medications directly targeted parvo. There is no cure for the disease, and the dog's own immune system plays a crucial role in fighting it off. So, what exactly do these medications do? I decided to investigate further, going down the list of medications I was prescribed...

 

 

I began to scrutinize each medication, starting with the liver support. This was meant to help her liver process the numerous medications she was receiving. It turned out to be unnecessary since I quit giving the medications when I saw that it was making her throw up more.

 

 

The Cerenia injection, intended to alleviate nausea, did provide temporary relief, allowing her to eat a kilo of chicken mince on Saturday evening. But this all came back up over the course of the next 24 hours, and I questioned whether masking her nausea was truly beneficial. Perhaps her body was trying to prevent her from eating, allowing her digestive system time to rest and recover. By masking the nausea, the injection may have inadvertently delayed her healing process.

 

 

Furthermore, I realized that the antibiotics, prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections, were likely unnecessary. Kali hadn't exhibited severe diarrhea, which meant her intestinal tract wasn't compromised, and therefore, the risk of bacterial infection was low.

 

 

The dewormer, too, seemed unnecessary, as Kali was a healthy puppy without internal parasites. The painkillers didn't appear to make a difference in her comfort level, and the electrolytes, meant to be added to her water, were rejected in favor of plain water. Even the tinned food, prescribed to aid in her recovery, was refused.

 

 

In retrospect, the only medication that truly made a difference was the Diomec, which helped control her diarrhea, preventing damage to the intestinal tract and resulting bacterial infections.

 

 

As I realized that most of the medications prescribed were unnecessary, it became clear that Kali's recovery was largely due to her own resilience, and the support of a loving mom.

 

 

This experience has taught me a valuable lesson: sometimes, less is more. By stepping back and allowing Kali's natural defenses to take over, I inadvertently gave her the best chance at recovery. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of balance and restraint in veterinary care, and the incredible capacity of our dog’s bodies to heal themselves with a little love and support.

 

 

While I'm not advocating for the abandonment of veterinary treatment for parvo, Kali's case highlights that some puppies may not require intensive medical intervention. I believe several factors contributed to Kali's ability to recover without extensive treatment:

 

 

1. Genetics: A properly bred dog comes with a more robust immune system that is naturally more resilient against disease.

 

2. Environment: A clean and natural living environment inhibits the propagation of harmful pathogens that might place unnecessary strain on a developing immune system.

 

3. Natural upbringing: By minimizing vaccinations and medications, feeding a raw diet, and supplementing with Colloidal Silver, I supported Kali's natural defenses.

 

4. Love and care: The emotional and psychological support Kali received in a loving home environment undoubtedly boosted her recovery.

 

 

I believe the combination of the above are what contributed to Kali's ability to fight off parvo with minimal medical intervention. However, it is important to understand that every puppy is different, and many will require comprehensive veterinary care to survive.

 

 

My intention in sharing Kali's story is to offer a different perspective on parvo treatment. What resonated with me throughout this experience was the realization that the body has its own wisdom. Symptoms often serve a purpose, and our well-intentioned interventions can sometimes do more harm than good. Perhaps, in some cases, the best course of action is to adopt a more hands-off approach, allowing the body to heal itself with minimal interference.

 

 

I hope Kali's story can inspire a more nuanced understanding of parvo treatment and the importance of considering individual circumstances when making healthcare decisions.