Local vets are encouraging dog owners to get their pups vaccinated following several parvovirus cases in the region.
Brendan Hickman from Nelson Vets says parvovirus causes uncontrolled vomiting and diarrhoea and can be fatal, with vaccination providing a simple way to prevent it.
“I strongly recommend that people get their pups and dogs vaccinated. It’s a very easy disease to prevent with vaccination.
“When we have high levels of vaccination, we don’t see parvovirus.”
Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that attacks the intestinal and immune systems. It spreads easily through contaminated ground and even shoes, and can be difficult to treat.
Another vet, Lyndon White from Vetlife Richmond, says a puppy owner took an unvaccinated pup to a football game at the weekend, which he says should not have happened.
“She had taken their puppy to an area heavily frequented by dogs before it had received its full course of vaccinations. It’s not worth the risk.”
He says all dog owners should check their dogs’ vaccinations are up to date and puppies that are not completely vaccinated should be kept away from dog parks, public footpaths, shared water bowls, pet store floors and unknown dogs. They should instead be socialised in controlled settings with healthy, fully vaccinated dogs.
Lyndon says it is important that dog owners do not take a suspected parvo case into a clinic waiting room without warning. Instead,owners should phone the vet clinic from home or the car so staff can take precautions to prevent exposure to other dogs at the clinic.
He says early warning signs of the virus include lethargy, loss of appetite and fever, followed by repeated vomiting and diarrhoea, which may contain blood. The disease can progress rapidly and cause severe dehydration.
“Owners should seek urgent veterinary advice if any of these signs appear, especially in a puppy or a dog with incomplete vaccination.”
