Outpatient Parvo Treatment for Dogs

Private, ICU-level treatment is out of the financial reach of the very dog owners most likely to have parvo-stricken dogs - those with low incomes and little access to veterinary care. The good news is that a recent study at the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA), funded by Maddie's Fund®, demonstrated that outpatient care for parvo can save almost all affected dogs and a lot of money, too.

When the PSPCA launched a study of outpatient care for parvo-stricken local dogs, they hoped to save around 75 percent of them. Instead, 84 percent of the dogs survived, most only with care provided at home and at the shelter's outpatient clinic. PSPCA worked with community members to show them how to provide fluids as well as oral and injectable medications at home, while providing support and office visits at their outpatient care center. 

Students will learn:

The scope and results of the study

How to identify at-risk dogs and reach their owners

Practical tips for scheduling, client counseling, outcome tracking

Understanding risks of infection to other pets in house/neighborhood

Preventing infection in the hospital, the shelter, and the community while treating dogs with parvo

Cleaning protocols

Client communication systems

Treatment protocols, monitoring, and variations of standard treatments

What worked, what didn't

The cost of the program

How the PSCPA veterinary team worked with owners to support the dogs' care at home

What may be the single-largest contributing factor to mortality in parvo cases

Presented by Dr. Jeffrey Stupine

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