Warning after two cases of parvo-virus
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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Hide Ad“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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Hide Ad“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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Hide AdParvo 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.