Canine Parvovirus Enteritis in a 4-Month-Old Labrador Retriever – A Detailed Case Study

• Species: Canine
• Breed: Labrador Retriever
• Age: 4 months
• Sex: Male, intact
• Weight: 8.5 kg

The patient, a 4-month-old unvaccinated male Labrador, was presented to the vet clinic with a 48-hour history of severe vomiting, watery-to-bloody diarrhea, inappetence, and marked lethargy. The owner reported progressive worsening, with the puppy refusing to eat, lying down most of the time, and visibly losing weight within days.

Upon questioning, the owner revealed that:

• The puppy was adopted 10 days ago from a backyard breeder.
• No vaccinations had been administered.
• Diet consisted of boiled rice with milk and occasional leftovers.
• No deworming or parasite control had been done.
• The puppy had limited access to outdoors but was in contact with neighborhood dogs.

Given the puppy’s age, signs, and lack of vaccination, canine parvovirus enteritis was high on the list of differentials.

• General Appearance: Depressed, lying in lateral recumbency
• Hydration Status: Estimated 10–12% dehydration (sunken eyes, skin tenting, dry mucous membranes)
• Mucous Membranes: Pale and tacky
• CRT (Capillary Refill Time): >3 seconds
• Temperature: 39.7°C (mild fever)
• Heart Rate: 160 bpm (tachycardia due to dehydration)
• Respiratory Rate: 40 bpm (normal to slightly elevated)
• Abdominal Palpation: Cranial abdominal pain; slight gas distension

• Canine parvovirus infection (CPV-2)
• Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE)
• Intestinal parasitism (hookworms, whipworms)
• Foreign body ingestion
• Bacterial enteritis (Salmonella, Campylobacter)

1. Rapid Antigen Test (Fecal ELISA)

• Positive for CPV — confirms diagnosis.

2. Hematology (CBC)

• WBC count: 3,200/µL (Leukopenia – indicative of bone marrow suppression and systemic viral burden)
• Neutrophils & lymphocytes: Both reduced
• Hematocrit (PCV): 56% (hemoconcentration due to dehydration)
• Platelets: Within normal limits

3. Biochemistry

• Mild hypoglycemia (due to inappetence and ongoing GI losses)
• Mild hyponatremia and hypokalemia
• Low total protein: 4.5 g/dL

4. Fecal Floatation

• Negative for parasitic ova, helps rule out parasite-induced enteritis.

5. Abdominal Radiographs:

• No signs of intestinal obstruction, foreign body, or perforation.

Canine Parvovirus (CPV-2) primarily targets rapidly dividing cells, especially crypt epithelial cells in the small intestine and bone marrow precursors. This leads to:

• Severe necrotizing enteritis → hemorrhagic diarrhea
• Immunosuppression → secondary bacterial infections
• Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance from GI losses
• Septicemia if bacterial translocation occurs across the damaged intestinal wall

Management of CPV is supportive and intensive, aimed at restoring hydration, preventing secondary infections, and supporting the immune system.

1. Fluid Therapy (Mainstay of Treatment)

• IV Ringer’s Lactate + 5% Dextrose
• Potassium chloride added to correct hypokalemia
• Fluid rate adjusted using shock dose formula (90 mL/kg) in first 1–2 hours, then maintenance + ongoing losses calculated
• Frequent monitoring of hydration status, PCV/TP, and urine output

2. Antibiotic Therapy (to prevent secondary sepsis)

• Ceftriaxone (25 mg/kg IV every 12 hours) – broad-spectrum, safe in young animals
• Later changed to amoxicillin-clavulanate PO as the patient improved

3. Antiemetics

• Ondansetron (0.5 mg/kg IV every 8 hours) to control nausea and reduce vomiting
• Metoclopramide added later as a CRI (constant rate infusion) to improve GI motility

4. Gastroprotectants

• Sucralfate slurry (1 g PO TID) to protect ulcerated intestinal mucosa
• Pantoprazole (1 mg/kg IV SID) for acid suppression

5. Nutritional Support

• Nothing per os (NPO) for the first 24 hours
• After vomiting ceased: small amounts of electrolyte-rich oral rehydration solution (ORS) every 2 hours
• Followed by highly digestible, low-fat veterinary prescription diet (e.g., Hill’s i/d or Royal Canin Gastrointestinal)

6. Isolation and Barrier Nursing

• Strict biosecurity to prevent spread to other dogs
• PPE for all staff handling the patient

• Day 1–2: Still vomiting, but diarrhea reduced in frequency.
• Day 3: Vomiting ceased; pup accepted ORS. No further signs of abdominal pain.
• Day 4: Passed semi-formed stool; began eating soft food voluntarily.
• Day 5: Puppy was bright, alert, eating well, and rehydrated.

• Oral antibiotics, probiotics, and gastroprotectants continued for 5 more days
• Begin vaccination protocol two weeks after recovery
• Keep isolated from other dogs for at least 3 more weeks
• Gradual transition back to a balanced commercial puppy diet
• Deworming scheduled after 1 week

At the 2-week follow-up, the puppy had gained 1.2 kg in weight, was fully active, and the stool was normal. Vaccination was initiated. The owner reported improved appetite and playfulness.

• Parvovirus is preventable — timely vaccination could have saved this pup from suffering.
• Early and aggressive fluid therapy can make a life-saving difference in parvo puppies.
• Antibiotic therapy is essential to prevent septicemia when leukopenia is present.
• Owners often don’t realize the severity of CPV until it’s too late. Client education is crucial.
• Monitoring and nursing care are just as critical as medications in managing CPV cases.