Council have been advised of a spike in positive Parvovirus cases in dogs and puppies in our region and encourages all dog owners to be aware of the signs and symptoms.
Parvovirus in dogs is a highly contagious disease that affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs and is most often fatal. The virus can lay dormant for 14 days and only present symptoms after this time. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite and diarrhoea (with blood in the stools).
Parvovirus is highly contagious and can survive for long periods in the environment. The virus can withstand routine cleaning and weather changes, easily transferring on the paws of dogs, people’s shoes or other items contaminated with the virus, like bedding. It is passed in the faeces of infected animals and it is important to note you don’t need to be directly in contact with an infected animal for your dog to become infected with parvovirus.
If your dog presents any of the above symptoms, owners should take their animal to their local vet clinic for testing and treatment immediately. Vaccination against the virus is available from your local vet clinic and is recommended as it is the only way to protect your dog against this virus.
