Warning after two cases of parvo-virus

Dog owners are being warned to get their pets vaccinated after two cases of canine parvo-virus were reported in the area.
Babbington Rescue Centre. Pictured are puppies that were dumped near a canal with their mother.Babbington Rescue Centre. Pictured are puppies that were dumped near a canal with their mother.
Babbington Rescue Centre. Pictured are puppies that were dumped near a canal with their mother.

Lancaster Veterinary Centre has treated one dog in Lancaster and one in Carnforth for the extremely infectious virus, which is fatal in 60 to 80% of cases.

Vet James Glass said: “Parvo-virus is pretty much around all the time but there are periods where it gets more of a hold and spreads.

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“We are the ones nursing the dogs and a large proportion of them die.

“Make sure your dog has a full course of vaccinations and a booster at 15 months. However, that protection isn’t lifelong so you should get your pet vaccinated for parvo virus every three years as a routine. to keep things at bay.

“Parvo-virus progresses very rapidly in 12 to 24 hours, with severe vomiting and diarrhoea so we are starting from a losing position. We treat these animals very intensively but a high proportion still die.

“A vaccination course is less than £50 for a puppy and a booster is £35.

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“To treat a dog for parvo-virus can cost £1,000 and there is no guarantee they will recover.”

“This virus gives no second chances.”

Animal rescue charity Animal Care had to shut its dog kennels temporarily recently to stop a mystery virus spreading.

The kennels have since reopened.

Abi Sadler, assistant manager at Animal Care, said: “Again, this is why it is so important for people to get all their vaccinations done for their pets.”

Canine parvovirus is a contagious virus mainly affecting dogs.

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Parvo is highly contagious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their faeces.

Vaccines can prevent this infection, but mortality can reach 91% in untreated cases.

Treatment often involves veterinary hospitalization.