Warning: Terrifying dog killer hiding in our backyards

An eight-week-old puppy has narrowly avoided death after contracting a highly transmissible virus caught from her own backyard. Here’s what you need to know.

An eight-week-old rottweiler puppy has narrowly avoided death after contracting the highly transmissible parvo virus and vets say she caught it from her own backyard.

Adorable ‘rotty’ pup Nera was at her new home for just five days when owner Bec Pini noticed a sudden change in her mood and diet.

“She wasn’t eating or drinking and had a few vomits here and there,” Ms Pini said.

“We were so lucky that we caught it early, I just knew something was wrong. When the vet called us and told me it was parvo I was in shock I just couldn't believe it.”

Nera almost died after she caught parvo virus. Picture: Richard Walker

When the experienced dog owner questioned the vets as to how her puppy contracted the virus despite it never leaving the house, they said last year’s record floods were most likely to blame.

“Last year’s floods moved a whole bunch of soil and debris and obviously some ended up in our backyard,” Ms Pini said who lives in Ashgrove.

Maliah Pini with her rottweiler puppy Nera. Picture: Richard Walker

“We were told parvo can live in the soil for up to 10 years which is really scary.”

“At the RSPCA we’ve only had five cases of parvovirus come through since January – so no notable spikes yet but it is always good to be aware,” a spokesperson for RSPCA Queensland said.

“The scary thing with parvo is that vets can only give supportive care, there is no treatment all they can do it offer hydration and antibiotics and look after them,” Ms Pini said.

”It’s really important for pet owners to vaccinate their dogs so they are protected from a young age against the virus as it can be deadly and sadly not all puppies that contract the virus makes it,” the spokesperson said.

Nera, who was given a 50/50 chance of survival when she first arrived at the emergency vets is now doing well and enjoying time back home.

“She is a little fighter and she is finally getting back to her old self again.”