19/03/2021
𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫: 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐬
Paul A. Cardenio, DVM, MSc
Canine parvovirus and distemper are endemic, year-round viral infections in dogs in the Philippines. These are preventable diseases through vaccination and proper care/hygiene. However, some pet owners are not aware or neglecting the vaccination needs of their pets hence resulting to these infections. They usually post treatments to social media and ask “public opinion” in various online groups rather than bringing their pets to the clinic for proper treatment and diagnosis of a licensed veterinarian.
Here are the common home remedies that dog owners used to treat parvoviral enteritis and canine distemper:
𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 𝟏: Antibiotics (such as SMP500 and doxycycline) can treat parvoviral enteritis and canine distemper.
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭: Both parvoviral enteritis and canine distemper are viral infections. Antibiotics do not inhibit the reproduction of virus in the dog’s body. Therefore, it is not used specifically to treat these viral diseases. However, it may help to prevent secondary bacterial infections at proper dosage and appropriate use. Do not buy and give antibiotics to your dogs without prescription of a veterinarian. That is irresponsible action and an illegal practice [1,2].
𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 𝟐: Turmeric should be given in vomiting and diarrheic dogs and cats.
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭: Curcumin in turmeric has anti-inflammatory property but it has no established anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) and anti-diarrheal action [3]. Aside from gastric ulcerations, vomiting is induced by various stimuli from the emetic center of the brain. Hence, treatment/management of the underlying problem is key in managing the vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. There are other safer and more effective drugs for diarrhea and vomiting that can be prescribed by your trusted veterinarian.
𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 𝟑: Eggyolk will alleviate the signs of viral diseases.
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭: Eggyolk contains IgY immunoglobulin and a source of protein. Only one study (14 years ago) reported the protective effects of CPV2-IgY (they infected a chick embryo and harvested the immunoglobulins) in dog experimentally infected with canine parvovirus [4]. However, its efficacy in clinically ill dog has not been proven. In addition, fresh eggyolk may contain Salmonella that could further worsen the diarrhea and vomiting.
𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 𝟒: Colloidal silver is the cure for all.
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭: Colloidal silver is not FDA approved. If the drug/medicine/supplement claims that it is a cure-all solution (bacterial, viral, fungal and immune system problem, etc), it should have been proven by science and must be in medical textbooks. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
There was one study reported the used of silver nanoparticles containing 6% metallic silver (1.8mg/ml or 1800PPM) as an effective treatment in dogs with non-neurological sign of distemper (meaning there is no tremors or seizure). Less than that concentration was found not to be effective. The same study said “...at higher concentrations, there is a risk of nanoparticles accumulation in different organs and tissues that could negatively influence the animal health.” [5]. However, it is worthy to mention that they only used 6% metallic silver but the products circulating online on various dog groups are claiming to contain 99% pure silver and usually at 0.2mg/ml or 20PPM, which is below the dose used in the said study. Again, there are safer options.
Supportive care and therapy are the only treatment options for these viral diseases. Though there are products such as hyperimmune serum, the standard medical care includes nutritional support, correcting electrolyte imbalance and dehydration, and symptomatic treatments (for pain, diarrhea and vomiting).
References:
1. http://pvma.com.ph/republic-acts/
2.https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/health_advisory/2012-017.pdf
3. Hewlings SJ and Kalman DS. 2017. Curcumin: A Review of Its' Effects on Human Health. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 6(10): 92. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods6100092
4. Van Nguyen S et al. 2006. Passive protection of dogs against clinical disease due to Canine parvovirus-2 by specific antibody from chicken egg yolk. Canadian Journal of veterinary Research 70(1), 62–64.
5. Bogdanchikova N et al. 2016. Silver nanoparticles composition for treatment of distemper in dogs. International Journal of Nanotechnology 13(1):227
©[petlandia vets]