Parvovirus infects the intestinal tract of puppies. It can lead to severe signs including vomiting, diarrhea with blood, lethargy, inappetence and abdominal discomfort. Most puppies affected with parvovirus require care intensive care in the hospital. Some may be amenable to outpatient care if their signs are mild. Keeping up with the puppy’s hydration and nutritional requirements are a key part to managing their disease and helping them recover. This may be done in one of several ways during a hospital stay. Nutrition may be given through a feeding tube and in some cases through an intravenous catheter (parenteral nutrition). Some puppies may be amenable to small frequent meals via syringe feeding. The puppy will likely be sent home with a prescription diet that is bland, low fat and easily digestible diet. Some may require a more calorie-dense critical care recovery diet, such as Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets CN Critical Nutrition Formula Canned Dog & Cat Food. Once recovered, most can transition back to regular puppy food. —Dr. Christina Fernandez, DVM, DACVECC