Feeding parvovirus dogs

Re: Feeding parvovirus dogs

hobbits — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 21:04:24 GMT

It is really important in these guys to start feeding ASAP to keep the villi and the integrity of the gut wall as far as possible. If you place a nasogastric tube (cheap and easy) and suction the fluid from the stomach every 1-2 hours. It is surprising how much fluid they third space into their gi tract and its nasty stuff! Once you are getting less than 2ml/kg/hr out then once you have suctioned put in small amounts of oralade or lectade or similar. This will help to feed the enterocytes. If that is well tolerated over 6-8 hours or so then you can introduce half strength convalescent supprt. Full strength is often too rich at this stage. Don't be disheartened if you have to go back to lectade if they start vomiting the convalescence, it may just be too soon. Once convalescence is tolerated you can go from there. Cerenia and metoclop cri, pain relief and antibiotics along with fluids. Check potassium and glucose (if young) frequently. If money an issue then vet could consider just making up a bag of fluids with maintenance potassium and glucose. These guys are normally hypokalaemic and glucose can be an issue in the tiny ones. They are tough patients but very rewarding! Good luck!

Re: Feeding parvovirus dogs

Chris Geddes — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 20:05:14 GMT

Feeding good idea due to gut mucosa energy coming from gut contents not systemic (glutamate in si, fatty acids in li)...and of course the mucosa is under pressure having been obliterated and trying to repair). Same reason starving in gastroenteritis a bad idea.... Can't see why vet would've minded you asking! Re virbagen - I'm not in work this week but if you call virbac office (01359 243 243) they will send you info. Chris

Re: Feeding parvovirus dogs

Steph Worsley — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 19:07:47 GMT

I've used it once but can't say if it helped or not, think the dog was going to make it anyway it was added in as owner wanted us to try everything as it was v v flat when it came to us.

Re: Feeding parvovirus dogs

hissycat — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 19:04:12 GMT

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like a naso gastric tube would be a good idea then. He was on metoclopromide as well. He was also being given virbagen omega that had come from their day practice (we are OOH provider). Have you had any experience with this? I've never seen it used in parvovirus before (prob due to expense) but I believe it is supposed to improve survival?

Re: Feeding parvovirus dogs

Steph Worsley — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 18:57:48 GMT

if still vomiting on cerenia we put them on a metoclopramide constant rate infusion as well (they work on different areas)

we also place naso-gastric tubes very early on, if the dog can't cope with bolus feeding then we put them onto a trickle feed system (basically using a syringe driver to CRI the diet) we have had a better survival rate. we try and get some nutrition into them even if still vomiting, find that using an NG tube you don't get food aversions so much as keep offering by mouth as well

Re: Feeding parvovirus dogs

Susan Jackson — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 18:52:08 GMT

I've been told that in the specialist practices they're fitted with feeding tube and feeding can mean the difference between life or death. Success without food is unlikely, not sure how accurate this is but it makes sense to me.