puppy recovering from parvo

Question
QUESTION: My 10 week old puppy just came home from a stay at the hospital because of parvo.  She came home Thursday and today she is still having several loose stools, some with blood in them.  I fed her at 6 pm last night and throughout the night she had 5 loose stools.  She is not lethargic at all.  She is hyper and very active and loves to play.  She is eating and drinking normally, too.  Will the loose stools and blood stop on their own?

ANSWER: Hi Beth-

I don't like the idea that she is still having bloody diarrhea after 5 days. Are you feeding her bland foods and lots of fluids? Did the vet send you home with any anti-diarrhea medication?

Try giving her plain rice, boiled chicken, and scrambled eggs for a few days, along with some plain yogurt and light cottage cheese. You can also give her immodium, but I can not give you the dosage for her since I am not sure of her weight. You can call your vet for clearer instructions there. I would also suggest keeping her reigned in a bit, playing wise, so she doesn't over excite herself or her weakened immune system. Rest, lots of fluids, and bland food is the way to help her rebuild her system.

If the blood and loose stools continue for more then 2 more days (Bringing it to a solid week) I would bring her back in for a checkup.

Hope she feels better soon!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We had just adopted her from the humane society when she got sick, so they took her back in and 'nursed' her.  They didn't tell me to feed her a bland diet so I've been giving her regular puppy food.  I started yogurt and Pepto yesterday after reading that online.  

She weighs right at 10 lbs.  How often should I feed her the chicken and rice?  How much each time?  What is a good dosage schedule for the Immodium or Pepto?

Answer
Hi Beth-

Be careful with Pepto, there is a lot of bad information out there on the Internet about Pepto, because its old information. Pepto used to be completely safe for dogs, because it was Kaopectate, but over the last years Pepto has changed its formula and most pepto is no longer Kao. Check the back to be sure- if the main active ingredient is not Kaopectate, DON'T use it! You can get regular, plain, Kaopectate at any drug store, just ask the pharmacist, and make sure its not a similar drug because they are not safe for dogs.

at 10 LBS I would give her 1/4 of an immodium twice a day, or 5-10 CC of Kao every 4-6 hours (depending on how bad the stools are, and how often you are giving it. If you are giving it every 6 hours, I would do 10 CCs, which is 1cc/ML per LBS of body weight) Don't continue the Kao for more then 2 days - if the loose stools continue, consult your vet.

I would give the chicken and rice 3 times a day, along with some plain yogurt or cottage cheese. Remember, more frequent, smaller meals, are healthier and easier to digest.

Good luck!