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How Long Will My Puppy Poop Worms After Deworming?
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Keeping your fur baby healthy means fewer visits to the vet. Deworming is crucial if you want to keep your puppy parasite-free.

Fortunately, deworming is a relatively hassle-free process that can be accomplished with just a few steps.

Once you have dewormed your puppy, you’ll probably want to know how long your dog will continue to poop worms. Puppies will typically poop worms for 2-3 days after they have been dewormed.

OUR EXPERIENCE: Linus had worms when we brought him home. I can confirm that he stopped pooping worms about 2-3 days after taking deworming medication.

However, you may still find some worms in your puppy’s excrement up to a week after deworming. This is completely normal and should not alarm you.

Worms are a common problem for dogs at any stage of life. As a pet parent, it’s important to understand just how to deal with these pesky parasites. To find out everything you need to know about deworming your puppy, keep reading!

Please contact your veterinarian if your puppy has worms or if you plan on deworming your puppy. This site is for entertainment purposes only and you should consult with your veterinarian if you have any health-related concerns about your dog or puppy.

How Do Puppies Get Worms?

Puppies are not just adorable, they are also curious. This means there are plenty of ways in which your fur baby can become infected with worms.

Transmission From Mom To Puppy

It is fairly common for worms to be transmitted from mothers to their puppies. Parasites like roundworms can be transmitted while puppies are still in utero.

They can also be transmitted through a mother’s milk to her puppies. While your puppy is nursing, it can easily contract worms if its mother is infected.

Ingesting Worm Eggs Or Worm Larvae

Puppies like to taste and lick everything. This is just how dogs explore the world around them. Unfortunately, this also means they ingest plenty of dirt.

Grass, soil, and debris are all possible carriers of worm eggs and larvae. When an infected animal poops, it can leave parasite eggs on various surfaces.

QUICK TIP: This is just one reason why it’s so important to pick up your pup’s poop (lessen the spread of parasites). If you’re looking for good poop bags our favorite are the Earth Rated Poop bags.

Once your puppy comes into contact with these surfaces, it may ingest the worm larvae or eggs and become infected.

Transmission From Other Animals

Parasites spread easily from one animal to the next. If you have multiple pets in your household, it is important to ensure all of them are dewormed regularly.

Worm eggs can spread from one pet to another through feces, contaminated food, or contaminated surfaces. It is important to keep your pup from ingesting excrement from other animals. This is the easiest way your dog can become infected.

Fleas

Fleas can carry worm larvae. This means that if your puppy gets infested with fleas, they are also at risk for a worm infestation.

Keep a lookout for fleas and have a regular grooming schedule to ensure that your puppy is protected against these pests.

QUICK TIP: All of our guide dog puppies are on flea medication. We’ve used topical and ingestible flea meds. We currently give our pups Nexgard Chewables to keep the fleas and ticks away.

Fur

Puppies like to groom themselves. However, in the process of licking their fur, they may ingest parasite eggs.

As long as your puppy is interacting with the environment, they are bound to come into contact with dirt. It’s therefore important to keep your pooch bathed and clean. This will minimize the risk of your pup carrying worm eggs or larvae on their coat.

QUICK RECOMMENDATION: We bathe our puppies about once a month using Burt’s Bees Puppy Shampoo.

Signs That Your Puppy Has Worms

Catching a worm infestation early on can save you lots of trouble down the road. Untreated infections can lead to health complications so it is vital to keep a lookout for the following warning signs.

Worms In Your Puppy’s Poop

When your puppy has worms, you are likely to see them in her excrement. When parasites accumulate in the intestines, some of them will be passed when your dog has a bowel movement.

It is also not uncommon to find worms in your puppy’s vomit if they are infected. Pooping or vomiting worms is one of the key indicators that your puppy is infected. However, not all parasites are visible to the naked eye.

Bloating

Bloating is a common symptom found in puppies infected with worms. Bloating is especially common in nursing puppies that have contracted parasites from their mother.

Weight Loss

Weight loss and stunted growth are symptoms that could point to a parasitic infection. If your puppy is not growing as expected or suddenly starts to lose weight, it’s important to have them checked for worms.

Parasites will interfere with your pup’s ability to absorb nutrients from their food, resulting in weight loss.

Lethargy and Weakness

Puppies are naturally playful and curious. If you notice that your pooch seems lethargic and weak, you may need to have them checked for worms.

Constant Hunger

If your pup does not seem to get full, there may be more to it than a voracious appetite. Dogs with worm infestations are constantly hungry and they will eat more than usual.

Despite this increased appetite, you will notice that your puppy does not put on weight as expected. This is another warning sign that your pup may need deworming.

Asymptomatic

Not all worm infestations will manifest themselves obviously. Your pup may be completely asymptomatic and still have parasites.

This is why it’s important to stick to a regular deworming schedule as recommended by your vet, regardless of whether you see symptoms of infection or not.

What Types Of Worms Are Found In Puppies

Different types of worms could infest your puppy. Some of these parasites can be fatal, so it is important to understand the different types of parasitic worms.

Roundworms

Roundworms are common in puppies. This type of worm is transmitted from mother to puppy in the womb or during nursing.

Some common signs that your puppy has a roundworm infestation are bloating, weight loss, and diarrhea.

Hookworms

Hookworms are small parasites that can nonetheless cause a lot of damage to your puppy’s health. These parasites attach to your puppy’s small intestine and absorb blood and nutrients from the body.

Hookworms can cause anemia, weakness, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, hookworm infestation can be fatal, so early treatment is essential.

Tapeworms

Fleas are the most common transmitters of tapeworms. In most cases, a tapeworm infection will be asymptomatic. However, you may notice this type of worm in your dog’s poop.

Whipworms

Whipworms are small, threadlike parasites. They typically infest the large intestines. If your puppy has whipworms, some of the symptoms include malnutrition and anemia. You may also notice that your dog’s poop is bloody.

Whipworms can only be detected microscopically so your vet will need stool samples to diagnose this type of worm. If left untreated, whipworms can be fatal, so speedy treatment is important.

Coccidia

Coccidia worms are common in puppies from puppy mills and pet stores. They rarely affect adult dogs so this type of parasite is mostly a problem for puppies.

Symptoms of coccidia infestations include dehydration and bloody diarrhea.

We brought Linus home from the animal shelter at around 8-10 weeks old. He was lethargic, dehydrated, and anemic. Among other ailments, he was also diagnosed with Coccidia.

How To Deworm Your Puppy

There is no need to fret if you find that your puppy’s poo has worms or if your dog is exhibiting other symptoms of worm infestation.

There are plenty of medications available for deworming, and your vet will recommend the best medication for your puppy.

Most dewormers come in the form of tasty tablets to make it easy for your puppy to take them. However, if you have trouble getting your puppy to take the tablet, you can hide it in their treats or food.

Deworming medications are typically broad-spectrum and will be effective against different types of parasitic worms. However, the appropriate dosage for your dog will depend on their body weight, so always consult your vet.

It is recommended that you deworm from the age of two weeks, and every two weeks after that until your dog is three months old.

At this point, you can scale back to deworming monthly until your puppy the six-month mark. After six months, it is recommended that you continue deworming your dog every three months.

Since parasites can be transmitted from mother to puppy, always ensure that you deworm the mother as well. This will ensure that your pup does not get infected through nursing or contact with its mother.

Always remember that deworming only gets rid of existing worms and does not prevent reinfection.

What To Expect After Deworming Your Puppy?

Most deworming treatments work in two to six hours after administration. Some medications will dissolve the worms while some will paralyze them.

Paralyzed worms pass through the intestinal tract and are passed out in your puppy’s poop. This is why you will notice that your puppy poops worms after deworming. This may continue for three days or even longer.

Be careful to dispose of your dog’s excrement properly to get rid of any worm eggs and larvae. Always wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning up dog poop.

Side Effects Of Deworming Your Puppy

Most deworming medications are safe for your puppy. However, your pooch may experience some side effects after deworming.

Bloody stool

If your puppy has bloody stool after deworming, this condition is no cause for alarm. This often happens as the worms detach from the intestines. However, if the condition persists for more than three days, consult your vet.

Diarrhea

Puppies may experience diarrhea after deworming. This is a result of the inflammation caused by worms unlatching from the intestines. As long as diarrhea doesn’t last for more than a couple of days, your pup should be just fine.

Lethargy

Your pooch may not be its usual playful self after deworming. This is due to the discomfort caused by diarrhea. Make sure you give your pup plenty of water during this time to prevent dehydration.

How To Prevent Worms In Puppies

Worms are part of the doggy experience and at some point, your pup is going to pick up these parasites. However, there are still measures you can take to minimize the risk of infection.

Pick Up After Your Dog

Your puppy will pass worms with their poo after deworming. This happens for up to 3 days after the deworming process.

If you do not dispose of the excrement properly, the eggs in the poop can cause reinfection if your pup comes into contact with them.

Picking up after your dog is not just good for the environment, but it will also help minimize the risk of reinfection.

Dog poo is the biggest carrier of worms and worm eggs, so disposing of it properly is crucial. Potty training your pup will also ensure that dog excrement does not end up in the wrong place.

QUICK RECOMMENDATION: When we’re out and about we use Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags. When we’re at home we use our handy dandy pooper scooper to scoop the poop.

Wash Your Hands After Handling Your Pets

Your puppy can carry parasite eggs in its fur. If you handle your pets and then prepare their food without washing your hands in between, the food can become contaminated. This will lead to constant worm reinfections for your puppy.

Clean hands mean a lower risk of worm eggs getting into your fur baby’s food.

Treat Your Puppy’s Fleas

Fleas carry worm eggs and larvae and can easily cause parasitic infections. To keep your puppy safe, make sure you treat your pup and any other pets in the house for fleas.

Regular flea treatments ensure that your puppy will not get infected by worms that are spread by fleas. Also, keep a household flea spray handy to get rid of any fleas in your home.

We’ve used several flea medications to keep our home free of fleas including:

Ensure That Dog Food And Water Are Clean

Dogs ingest worms from contaminated food and water. Clean your puppy’s food and water bowls regularly. Any raw foods such as vegetables should be thoroughly washed before being fed to your pup.

QUICK TIP: It’s important to keep your dog bowls clean. We recommend stainless steel dog bowls as they are easiest to keep clean.

Deworm Your Pets Regularly

Sticking to a regular deworming schedule is important in keeping your puppy healthy. Don’t forget to deworm other pets in the house as well to prevent cross-infection.

Parasites can easily spread from one animal to another, so it is important to have a routine deworming schedule for all of your pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Expect After Deworming A Puppy?

After deworming your puppy, expect your puppy to poop worms. This is because the deworming medication paralyzes the worms, which then pass from the intestines into the feces.

You should expect your dog to experience some diarrhea after deworming. This should last for a day or two as the worms get passed out in poop.

How Long Does It Take For A Dewormer To Work In Puppies?

A dewormer will start to work between two and six hours after administration. Deworming medications work in different ways, depending on the type you purchase. Some dewormers will dissolve the worms while others will paralyze them.

When the worms are paralyzed, they need to be passed out of the body, so they will be excreted in your puppy’s poop. This is normal.

How Long Till Tapeworms Are Gone After Deworming?

Tapeworms will be gone within 24 hours after deworming. You may choose a tablet or injectable dewormer. After the process is complete, tapeworms are typically dissolved in the intestines so you will not see any in your puppy’s poop.

Tapeworms are mostly spread by fleas. It is important to keep your puppy free of fleas to minimize the risk of tapeworm infections.

Is It Safe To Deworm A Puppy Twice?

Yes, it is safe to deworm a puppy twice. Puppies are especially vulnerable to parasitic infections. This means that they need to be dewormed frequently to keep them healthy.

You should deworm your puppy at two-week intervals starting from the age of two weeks. Once the puppy is three months old, you should deworm it once a month until the puppy gets to six months of age. After this point, it is recommended that you deworm your dog every three months moving forward.

Can A Puppy Eat After Deworming?

Yes, after deworming your puppy can eat as usual. There are no particular dietary restrictions required after deworming. However, you may notice that your dog may have a reduced appetite. This is normal after deworming.

Make sure your puppy eats some food and gets sufficient water to prevent dehydration.

QUICK RECOMMENDATION: We currently feed our guide dog puppies Purina Pro Plan Puppy Large Breed.

Is Deworming A Puppy Necessary?

Yes, deworming a puppy is necessary. Puppies are at high risk for worm infestations. Puppies can contract worms from the mother while in the womb or nursing. This means that even newborn puppies may have worms.

It is important to start deworming your puppy from the age of two weeks and follow up with a regular deworming schedule. Parasites can cause serious health complications in puppies and some cases may even be fatal.

Can I Get Worms From My Puppy?

Yes, you can get worms from your puppy. Worms that infect puppies can also infect humans. This means that you need to be careful about hygiene and disposing of your pup’s poop. Worm eggs and larvae in dog poop can stay on grass and soil for extended periods.

Eating contaminated food or water can also lead to infection. It is especially important to keep small children from ingesting anything that may be contaminated with a dog’s fecal matter.

Conclusion

Puppies are adorable, cute, and a joy to have around. However, your pup is at its most delicate when young, so this means it needs extra care. Deworming is one way to make sure that your pup stays happy and healthy.

With the right medication and deworming schedule, worms will not pose a serious health risk for your pooch. Be sure to consult your vet for the appropriate dosage and deworming schedule for your dog.

Has your puppy ever had worms?

Did you have to get him dewormed?

Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.

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UPDATE: This post was originally published on June 22nd, 2021. We periodically update blog posts with new experiences and information to keep them as relevant as possible.

Top Picks For Our Puppies
1. BEST DOG CHEW
  We Like: Beef Collagen Sticks – All of our pups love to bite, nip, and chew. We love using Collagen Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors.
2. BEST PUPPY TOY
  We Like: Calmeroos Puppy Toy w/ Heartbeat and Heat Packs – Perfect for new puppies. Helps ease anxiety in their new home.
3. BEST DOG TREATS
  We Like: Crazy Dog Train-Me Treats – We use these as our high-value treats for our guide dog puppies.
4. BEST FRESH DOG FOOD
  We Like: The Farmer’s Dog – A couple months ago we started feeding Raven fresh dog food and she loves it! Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer’s Dog.
Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.
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14/04/2025
How Do I Know If My Puppy Will Survive Parvo – Beating The Odds
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Canine Parvovirus: It’s the virus that wreaks havoc on a puppy’s gastrointestinal system and a diagnosis every dog owner fears hearing!

What are the chances that a dog with parvo will survive?

Learning that your pup has canine parvovirus is beyond scary—it’s terrifying! When faced with this diagnosis the first question you’d want to ask is, “How do I know if my puppy will survive parvo?”

Disclaimer: We are not veterinarians. If you think your puppy is sick you should consult your veterinarian immediately.

Unfortunately, canine parvovirus in puppies is very common and often fatal. When not diagnosed or treated in time, parvo’s mortality rate is as high as 91%!

Immediate diagnosis and treatment are paramount and will significantly increase your puppy’s chance of surviving parvo.

With aggressive treatment and proper care, your puppy has a good chance of making a full recovery and reaching a ripe old age.

In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about canine parvovirus. Keep on reading to learn if a puppy can survive parvo, signs that your pup is recovering, and much more.

What Is Parvovirus?

While most dog owners have heard of parvo, only those who’ve cared for an infected puppy truly understand how devastating this virus is.

Parvo has a high mortality rate and is one of the most infectious viruses that affect dogs.

The scary thing is, parvo can survive in the soil for years, and you can pick it up outside and transfer it to your puppy without knowing it!

Your puppy can also contract parvo through direct contact with an infected dog, so be extra vigilant if you are raising sibling puppies.

Another possible scenario of catching parvo is by indirect contact with a contaminated object.

So, every time your puppy goes outside and sniffs or licks doggy poop, there is a chance of exposure if the poop is contaminated.

Furthermore, your puppy can get parvo if they play with an infected dog or puppy, or touch a food bowl, leash, collar, or harness used by an infected dog.

Canine parvovirus is classified as a gastrointestinal disease since it causes the most damage to the stomach and small intestines. This virus destroys cells in the small intestines, which diminishes nutrient absorption.

The most common symptoms of parvovirus are:
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Bloody diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
If your puppy is experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t waste a second—take them to the veterinarian straight away!

How Do I Know If My Puppy Will Survive Parvo

Most puppies die from parvo within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of the first symptoms. Immediate reaction and treatment are crucial and will significantly improve your puppy’s chance of surviving parvo.

Our third guide dog puppy, Dublin did not catch parvo but one of his siblings did. They got him treatment right away. Unfortunately, Dublin’s sibling succumbed to canine parvovirus. 🙁

What Are The Chances Of My Puppy Surviving Parvo?

The chances of a puppy surviving parvo greatly depend on how soon after initial symptoms your puppy has been diagnosed and treated.

Up to 91% of untreated puppies will die within two to three days after exhibiting the first symptoms of parvo.

Please, don’t try to wait out the virus, thinking your puppy will get better on its own! Parvo is deadly and dangerous because it acts quickly, so you need to be quicker than the virus.

The good news is, with quick reaction and proper veterinary treatment your puppy has a 68–92% survival chance. Furthermore, most puppies that survive the first three to four days make a full recovery.

Quick reaction and veterinary intervention significantly increase your puppy’s chance of getting over parvo. However, your puppy’s chance of surviving parvo also depends on:

1. Time Of Treatment

As mentioned, the time your puppy starts treatment is essential for their survival.

Bear in mind, your puppy will have the best shot at full recovery if they begin treatment in the first 24 to 72 hours of first experiencing symptoms.

If your puppy hasn’t received its complete series of vaccinations and is showing symptoms of parvo, take them to the veterinarian right away.

A young puppy’s immune system isn’t strong enough to fight such a strong infection.

Delaying treatment is never a good idea with parvo. If you ignore the symptoms, thinking your pup will get better, their condition will rapidly deteriorate till the point of no return.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for new owners to mistake vomiting and diarrhea with a tummy ache and blame it on something their puppy ate.

In these cases, the proper diagnosis and treatment are delayed, which can affect the puppy’s chances of survival.

Still, it’s always better to take your puppy to the vet late than never! While a delayed reaction doesn’t automatically mean that your puppy won’t survive, you should be prepared for every possible outcome.

2. Type Of Treatment

Although canine parvovirus is very common, there is still no specific medication designed to kill the virus in infected puppies and dogs.

The treatment for parvo is designed to relieve the puppy’s symptoms, thus giving their immune system a chance to fight off the disease.

Treatment should be started as soon as your puppy is diagnosed, and it primarily consists of intensive care.

Your puppy should receive IV fluids with electrolytes to combat dehydration, medication to combat vomiting and diarrhea, and antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection.

The initial treatment for parvo is aggressive and typically lasts three to four days. With the right type of treatment, you should start noticing signs your puppy is getting over parvo.

Mainly, your puppy’s stool won’t have any blood in it and should start firming up.

Using the wrong type of treatment can jeopardize a puppy’s chance of surviving parvo. Thus, it is very important that you discuss treatment options with your veterinarian.

Depending on the severity of your puppy’s condition and its symptoms, your veterinarian may suggest keeping the puppy hospitalized for the initial treatment.

This is always a good option if you aren’t able to provide at-home care or have other dogs at home.

3. Underlying Health Problems

Underlying health conditions are often overlooked in puppies since most are born completely healthy.

However, puppies from pet stores and puppy mills are often born sick and may have more than one undiagnosed health problem.

Unfortunately, puppies with underlying health issues have lower chances of surviving parvo.

The puppy’s immune system is already stretched too thin and isn’t equipped to fight on two fronts. In these cases, a puppy’s health will rapidly deteriorate and its body will start to shut down.

4. Severity Of The Symptoms

Figuring out the chances of your puppy surviving parvo often comes down to the severity of their symptoms.

If your puppy is no longer vomiting and shows some signs of appetite, these are clear signs that they are responding well to the treatment.

However, if two or three days have passed and your puppy is continuing to throw up and still has bloody diarrhea, know that things aren’t looking good.

This is the time to talk with your veterinarian and discuss the course of treatment.

If your puppy isn’t responding well to the initial treatment plan, your veterinarian may suggest a blood plasma transfusion.

This is generally only done in severe cases, and it’s a good indicator that your puppy isn’t doing well.

Even if your veterinarian does everything right, there is still a chance that your puppy won’t survive parvo.

The near-death signs of parvo include severe lethargy, continuous bloody diarrhea, anorexia, and bloody vomiting.

You may not want to admit it to yourself, but this is the point of no return. So consider doing a humane thing by putting your puppy to sleep.

While saying goodbye to your puppy will be extremely hard, take comfort in knowing they are no longer in pain and that you did everything you could to help.

What Are The Signs Your Puppy Is Getting Over Parvo?

How Do I Know If My Puppy Will Survive Parvo?

Parvo is a terrible disease, but with a fast reaction and aggressive treatment, your puppy can be on the road to recovery just in a few days. There are several signs that can let you know your puppy is getting over parvo.

Seeing these signs in your puppy means they are reacting well to the treatment and that their body is fighting the infection. The most common signs your puppy is getting over parvo include:

1. Your Puppy Stops Vomiting

The canine parvovirus causes small intestines to bleed, thus affecting the entire gastrointestinal system.

As a result, a sick puppy will start to vomit, which can lead to dehydration. A dehydrated puppy will try to drink water to stay hydrated, but will automatically vomit any solid food or water that is consumed.

The vomiting can become so bad that at some point you may find blood in your puppy’s vomit or foamy yellow bile.

Bearing this in mind, one of the first signs that your puppy is recovering from parvo is the lack of persistent vomiting. Furthermore, you will notice that your pup is no longer drooling or foaming at the mouth.

2. Puppy Stops Pooping Bloody Diarrhea

Persistent bloody diarrhea is one of the telltale signs of parvo. Besides the blood, your puppy’s stool will have a distinctive strong odor.

So when you notice that your puppy’s poop is firming up and that there are no traces of blood in it, that’s a clear sign that your pup is getting better.

As your pup continues to recover from parvo, its stool will regain its normal color and consistency.

A firmer and blood-free stool is a good indicator that there is no bleeding in your pup’s intestines and that they are recovering.

3. Your Puppy Starts Eating Normally

With the onset of the first symptoms of parvo, puppies tend to lose their appetite. As a result, your puppy will lose weight rapidly, but its belly might appear bloated.

As your puppy starts to recover, they will regain their natural appetite and start eating as before catching parvo. When you notice that your puppy is willing to eat, know this is a sure sign that they are healing.

At this point, your pup will be able to hold down any food and water it consumes, and will slowly start to regain the lost weight.

Bear in mind, puppies recovering from parvo will need to eat easily digestible, bland food that won’t irritate their stomachs.

Your veterinarian will suggest an appropriate dietary plan and you should follow their instructions to the letter.

4. Increased Activity

Weakness and lethargy are usually the first signs of parvo. As the infection progresses, you may notice that your puppy doesn’t respond to your calls.

Furthermore, depending on the severity of their symptoms, your puppy may not have the energy to move or eat.

Puppies battling parvo will also experience fever, anemia, and even sepsis, which can drain their energy levels even more.

Another sign your puppy is getting over parvo is when they start standing up and moving around without your help. As your puppy gets better, they will have more energy and show interest in toys and playing.

FAQs About A Puppy Surviving Parvo

How Long Does It Take A Puppy To Get Over Parvo?

Most puppies that survive the first three to four days of parvo will make a full recovery. However, the recovery period varies from one puppy to another and depends on the severity of the symptoms and other factors.

It generally takes puppies one week to recover from parvo, but they are still contagious up to 10 days after clinical recovery.

Puppies who’ve survived parvo should be quarantined until they stop carrying the virus in their bodies.

After that point, you should talk with your veterinarian and have your puppy vaccinated before allowing them to interact with other dogs.

What Are The Chances That A Dog With Parvo Will Survive?

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease if left untreated.

Adult and older dogs who contract parvo have better chances of survival than puppies. The survival rate of dogs treated by a veterinarian is 68–92%.

Dogs and puppies that are diagnosed and treated within 24 to 72 hours following the first symptoms have the best survival rate and in most cases make a full recovery.

Starting treatment as soon as possible is your dog’s best chance of surviving parvo and leading a normal life.

What Are The Stages Of Parvo?

Most dogs that have been exposed to parvovirus will have a three- to five-day incubation period.

During the first stage, most puppies show signs of lethargy and slowing down. Secondary signs of infection include loss of appetite and weight loss followed by vomiting and diarrhea.

As the parvovirus starts to spread in your dog’s body, their symptoms may get much worse, resulting in dehydration.

At this stage, your puppy should already take appropriate treatment including IV fluids that will help keep them hydrated.

If left untreated, the initial stages of parvo will quickly progress, resulting in severe dehydration caused by persistent vomiting and diarrhea.

Additionally, secondary infection can occur as the result of a weakened immune system, which leads to sepsis and death.

What Can I Do To Help My Puppy With Parvo?

The best thing you can do to help your puppy recover from parvo is to take them to a veterinarian as soon as you notice the first symptoms.

Your veterinarian will begin treating your puppy right away with fluid therapy, anti-nausea medication, and antibiotics.

While your puppy is being treated, you will have to try to feed them with a bland and highly digestible diet.

Most puppies won’t have the energy to eat, so you should try bottle-feeding your puppy to help them get valuable nutrients.

Can A Puppy Get Parvo After Their First Shot?

Puppies are vaccinated against parvo when they are approximately six, eight, and 12 weeks old.

Until your puppy receives their full series of parvo vaccines, it can still get infected after coming into contact with a sick dog or contaminated object.

So even if your puppy got their first parvo shot, they can still catch the virus if exposed to it.

Therefore, it’s very important that you keep your puppy away from other dogs and practice good hygiene until they are fully vaccinated.

Additionally, your puppy will need to receive a booster shot a year later, and every three years after that.

Conclusion

Parvo has a high mortality rate, but most puppies make a full recovery thanks to an early diagnosis and aggressive treatment.

But even if you and your veterinarian do everything right, there is a chance that your puppy won’t recover from parvo.

Faced with all these terrible facts, you are probably wondering, how do I know if my puppy will survive parvo?
- Puppies treated within the first 72 hours have a 68–92% survival rate
- Puppies that survive the first three to four days make a full recovery
- Aggressive treatment gives the best results
While canine parvovirus is a common disease in puppies, there is still no cure for this condition.

The best and the only way you can prevent your puppy from catching this deadly virus is vaccination. So don’t wait–take your puppy for a shot today!

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Resources

Top Picks For Our Puppies
1. BEST DOG CHEW
  We Like: Beef Collagen Sticks – All of our pups love to bite, nip, and chew. We love using Collagen Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors.
2. BEST PUPPY TOY
  We Like: Calmeroos Puppy Toy w/ Heartbeat and Heat Packs – Perfect for new puppies. Helps ease anxiety in their new home.
3. BEST DOG TREATS
  We Like: Crazy Dog Train-Me Treats – We use these as our high-value treats for our guide dog puppies.
4. BEST FRESH DOG FOOD
  We Like: The Farmer’s Dog – A couple months ago we started feeding Raven fresh dog food and she loves it! Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer’s Dog.
Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.
Source link
13/04/2025
Review of Pet Shell’s Report: Your Dog Will Hear Fireworks and Thunder Inside
If your dog is afraid of noises, please take that seriously. Sound reactivity can be debilitating, and the clinical, medical condition of sound phobia can be devastating. Neither is commonly “solved” by purchasing a product. Evidence supports the use of counterconditioning, relaxation training, and behavioral medications (Riemer, 2020).

The Pet Shell Pet House

I do not own a Pet Shell. I am reviewing the claims of their marketing materials compared to the acoustic report they published.

A new product for dogs and cats, the “Pet Shell,” has hit the market. It is a Kickstarter project and promoted as a noise-reducing pet house that “reduces sounds by more than 50%,” which is a problematic statement. The marketing materials further imply that the interior of the Pet Shell is “silent,” with multiple statements such as, “The unbeatable combination of darkness and silence (emphasis theirs) creates a calming space for your pet, similar to a den.” The silence claim is also problematic, and untrue per their own test results.

The noises they feature in a promotional video are a thunderclap, a siren, a jackhammer, a vacuum, traffic, a beeping alarm clock, and fireworks. Similarly, the sounds listed on the “Understanding Dogs’ Sensitivity” section of their Kickstarter site are thunderstorms, fireworks and gunshots, loud vehicles, sirens and alarms, construction and industrial noises, and household noises. Note how many of these include low-frequency sounds.

This product is being aggressively marketed as a solution for dogs who fear thunder and fireworks. However, Pet Shell’s own published acoustical testing report, impeccably performed at the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, reveals that the low frequencies of thunder and fireworks are where the Pet Shell is least effective at preventing the transmission of sound.

This is in keeping with the findings of basic physics and acoustics.

The Acoustic Testing and Report

The acoustic testing of the Pet shell was performed by a physicist with excellent credentials. The report is exemplary, with methods explained well and with sufficient detail and transparency that someone with the right equipment could replicate the testing. I am glad that Pet Shell engaged an expert who knows testing procedures and the applicable standards to do this work.

The results are well supported in the report itself, and they are in keeping with general knowledge about sound entering enclosures. I will assume the accuracy of the report findings through this blog post.

The Problematic Marketing Claims

The marketing materials contain many statements and claims that are refuted by Pet Shell’s own test results. Here are the highlights.
1. Problematic Claim: The Pet Shell reduces sounds by more than 50%. The average sound reduction across the frequency bands over a range of 1–20,000 Hz was found to be 13 decibels. Since a 10-decibel reduction correlates with a decrease of the perceived sound by half (for humans), this “more than 50%” reduction can be defended. However, that average gives an incomplete picture of what is happening inside the Pet Shell. The effectiveness of sound reduction by passive means (barriers, absorption) depends on frequency. It is much easier to prevent the transmission of high-frequency sound. If you check the breakdown by frequency on the sound testing report, you see that the low frequencies from 100 to 250 Hz show much less reduction in the Pet Shell. The attenuation is 2.6 dB at 100 Hz, 4.2 dB at 125 Hz, 6.6 dB at 160 Hz, 5.3 dB at 200 Hz, and 3.4 dB at 250 Hz. These frequencies correlate with the frequencies of thunder and large fireworks, and they are being reduced much less than the average.
  Please view the report to see this dramatic decline in effectiveness at low frequencies depicted graphically on page 4.
  
  This poor performance is not at all surprising; it’s common to all barrier-based solutions. You can see a similar lowered effectiveness in the sound spectrum report for Rex Specs Ear Pro, ear protection for dogs. Passive sound barriers are not effective at preventing the transmission of low frequencies; the waves are too massive.
  
  The Pet Shell can claim a 13-decibel reduction overall because the sound attenuation is much more effective at higher frequencies. But think what that means. An animal in the interior of the Pet Shell is in a soundscape with a predominance of low frequencies.
2. Extremely Problematic Claim: “Silence.” The repeated references to silence can’t be defended. On page 4 of the report, they list the actual sound reduction of the Pet Shell in the presence of the noise source. The test noise clocks in at 94.2 dB(A) outside the Pet Shell and 81.0 dB(A) inside the Pet Shell. (See technical addendum for notes about dB(A).) Some examples of noises in that decibel range are a gas-powered lawnmower, a busy freeway at 50 feet, a loud overhead pager (intercom), an electric lawn edger, and the noise inside an airplane. Eighty-five dB is the boundary in U.S. workplaces where exposure over time must be monitored and controlled. Referring to the noise reduction inside the Pet Shell as achieving “silence” is preposterous.
3. Problematic Claim: “…minimizing intense sounds – especially high-pitched ones that trigger stress…” This statement correctly identifies that the Pet Shell is more effective at decreasing higher-frequency sounds than lower-frequency sounds, as is true of any passive sound barrier. But why are they focusing on “high-pitched sounds that trigger stress” when most of the sounds they list on their sites and include in their promotional video are low frequency? Fireworks and thunder are featured over and over. Of the sounds I listed from their materials above, only the siren, the alarm clock, and some household noises stand out as higher frequency. And while there are plenty of dogs who fear high-frequency sounds (I had one), a recent study showed that thunder was the most common fear (Grigg et al., 2021, p. 4).
4. Problematic Claim: The usual buzzwords for such products like “calming, safe, silent, secure,” and implications of relaxation and decreasing anxiety. I’m sure some animals enjoy the privacy, the ability to hide in a cozy place, and the moderate sound reduction at higher frequencies. But dogs inside the Pet Shell will still hear the fireworks and thunderstorms perfectly well.
Images Depicting Fireworks and Thunder Sounds by Frequency

The following images show that the weakest performance of the Pet Shell (per their report) correlates with the loudest frequencies of fireworks and thunder.

I analyzed sound recordings of fireworks and thunder in the software Audacity, and the images below show the sound spectrum, in other words, how loud the sound is at different frequencies. In the images, the horizontal (x) axis is frequency, and the vertical (y) axis is decibels. The higher something is on the y axis, the louder it is. I marked with a black rectangle the frequency area where the Pet Shell is least effective per the numbers in their report: the range from100 to 250 Hz. It correlates with the loudest frequencies of both the fireworks and thunder.

Fireworks

Thunder

The red line in each image shows the peak, the area of maximum amplitude (roughly, volume). In both cases, it is within the area where the Pet Shell performs the worst.

See my technical addendum at the bottom if you are curious why the decibels on the y axis are negative.

I purchased the sample sounds of fireworks and thunderclaps from Pond5.com. You can listen to lower-quality previews (turn down your volume first!) of the sounds I used here (fireworks) and here (thunder). I chose recordings by ear that had plenty of low frequencies. Here are sources for information about the typical low frequencies of fireworks (Tanaka et al., 2016) and thunder (Holmes et al., 1971).

Can a Little Reduction Help My Dog?

Are you thinking, “Well, even a tiny bit of reduction in the sound of thunder is probably worth it”? If so, ask yourself whether your dog reacts only to the loudest thunderclaps. When they hear thunder that doesn’t shake the house, are they fine? In that case, maybe a little reduction could help (although they’ll still feel the house shake inside the Pet Shell). Or have they generalized to fearing most or all thunder noise? In that case, a small reduction in decibels is immaterial. Dogs often get sensitized to sounds that scare them. When this happens, the sound can scare them at lower intensities than it did originally. In these cases, a small reduction in the sound intensity would not make a difference.

A “before” photo of clinically sound phobic Zani, who didn’t need a hiding place from sounds for her last five years because we consulted a veterinary behaviorist

Conclusion

The Pet Shell is expensive and doesn’t cure sound fear. It doesn’t block low-frequency sound. It’s not silent inside. Providing a hiding place is a kindness, but don’t we want more than that for our dogs—to address the fear itself?

The harm of the Pet Shell comes from the marketing claims, including that it can protect dogs significantly from thunder and fireworks. Their own report says that it can’t. People may purchase this product instead of pursuing evidence-based approaches to help their pet’s sound sensitivity.

I had an exchange with a representative of Pet Shell on social media after I made a brief critique. They were polite and open to suggestions. I asked them to put a notice on their website about how serious the fear of sounds can be in dogs, and to encourage people to seek professional help for their dogs for this problem.

References
- Grigg, E. K., Chou, J., Parker, E., Gatesy-Davis, A., Clarkson, S. T., & Hart, L. A. (2021). Stress-related behaviors in companion dogs exposed to common household noises, and owners’ interpretations of their dogs’ behaviors. Frontiers in veterinary science, 8, 760845.
- Holmes, C. R., Brook, M., Krehbiel, P., & McCrory, R. (1971). On the power spectrum and mechanism of thunder. Journal of Geophysical Research, 76(9), 2106-2115.
- Riemer, S. (2020). Effectiveness of treatments for firework fears in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 37, 61-70.
- Tanaka, T., Inaba, R., & Aoyama, A. (2016). Noise and low-frequency sound levels due to aerial fireworks and prediction of the occupational exposure of pyrotechnicians to noise. Journal of occupational health, 58(6), 593-601.
Copyright 2025 Eileen Anderson

Photos

Photo of dog with chin on the floor courtesy of user PicsbyFran on Pixabay. I cropped it. All other photos copyright Eileen Anderson 2025.

Technical Addendum: Those Negative Decibels and dB(A)

The decibels are negative in my images because they are being measured inside a computer and not the real world. Decibels need a reference point, and there are lots of different ones used. The maximum decibels that the computer can record (so-called “full-scale”) is set at a reference point of zero. So the closer the negative number is to zero, and the higher it is physically on the image, the louder the sound is at that frequency.

The designation dB(A) in the Pet Shell report refers to a decibel scale that is weighted, taking into account the characteristics of human hearing. This can introduce error, but it’s unavoidable at this time. We don’t have a scale weighted for dogs (which is acknowledged in the report).

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12/04/2025