How to Bathe a Dog With Parvo

Poor three-month-old puppy, Cinder, is sick. She has a high fever, can barely lift her head, and has severe diarrhea and vomiting--she cannot even keep water down. Her concerned owner rushes her to the veterinarian. Cinder has canine parvovirus,  a very contagious, very serious viral disease. Although canine parvovirus can be vaccinated against successfully, every year thousands of unvaccinated dogs or puppies that have not yet had the opportunity to be vaccinated contract this serious, sometimes fatal disease. The virus is characterized by severe infection and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Dogs with the virus can rapidly become dehydrated, and the illness is frequently fatal. Affected dogs that do receive treatment and recover are in a weakened state and are frequently covered in vomit and diarrhea which needs to be cleaned off.  

If your dog is recovering from parvo you will most likely want to bathe your dog to clean him or her up. There are, however, several concerns with bathing a dog infected with parvo. Because of the severity of the illness and the dog's weakened state they are prone to chill easily and can easily get hypothermia due to impaired ability to regulate their temperature, which can be very dangerous. Care needs to be taken to minimize your dog getting cold or stressed while being bathed.  A dog that is experiencing severe parvo symptoms including dehydration should not be bathed by immersion in water if possible. Alternative bathing methods should be used to minimize the chance of the dog getting hypothermia and going into shock. Another concern is the contagious nature of parvo. You will want to take precautions to clean up after bathing your sick dog so as to minimize the chance of spreading the disease to other animals.  

• Bathing will reduce the virus contaminants on your sick dog's fur, however, your dog will still be contagious for several weeks after recovering from parvo.  Your dog should be quarantined and kept away from other dogs and her feces removed so other dogs are not exposed and the virus does not spread.
  
• Dogs that are affected with canine parvo are in a very weakened state and have trouble regulating their temperature. Care must be taken during bathing to ensure your dog does not become chilled or get hypothermia.
  
• Canine parvo often needs veterinary intervention and medication to control vomiting and provide fluids for dehydrated dogs intravenously. Secondary infections may need antibiotics.
  
• Seek veterinary advice if you suspect your dog has canine parvovirus.
  
• Wash hands, surfaces and tools with a bleach solution after bathing your dog, to disinfect parvovirus.
  
• Be gentle and take precautions handling a stick and weak animal. The dog may need support and non-slip surfaces to protect him from slipping.