Vets warn of spike in parvo virus

DOG lovers beware, parvo virus is on the rise in Ipswich.

Dr Andrew Hemming with puppy Bear, who was at Silkstone Veterinary Hospital with parvo virus. Picture: Claudia Baxter

DOG lovers beware, parvo virus is on the rise in Ipswich.

Silkstone vet Dr Andrew Hemming said after seeing just one case in the past six months, the surgery had seen five dogs admitted with the virulent disease in the last nine days.

Dr Hemming said the disease was particularly aggressive.

"The virus seems much more aggressive than the outbreak last year," he said.

"We've had five dogs admitted in the last couple of days.

"It's unusual - we haven't had a proper case of parvo for more than six months."

The Silkstone Vet Clinic has already seen one of the dogs die from the disease after fighting the virus for nine days.

Dr Hemming said the disease affected rapidly changing cells in the dog's body, such as in the gut.

As a result the dog is lethargic and depressed, suffers from vomiting and diarrhoea and goes off food.

"It's a horrible thing," Dr Hemming said.

Booval Veterinary Hospital partner Craig Render said they had seen an increase in parvo cases in the past month.

"We regularly see an increase in cases over summer," he said.

"It's been surprising to see the rise in number so late though.

"The biggest message is that your dog needs to be vaccinated and needs to be vaccinated now.

"Some people try to save $60-80 and it ends up costing them $3000."

Dr Hemming said a large outbreak of parvo, like the clinic experience in April last year, swamps their staff and could impact more than just dog owners.

"We struggle when there is an outbreak," he said.

"Our nurses will be working 80-hour weeks to care for the dogs, and the vets will have to treat them while still taking other patients."

The vets urged dog owners to vaccinate their puppies from the disease and get the vaccine updated yearly.

Puppies can start a course of vaccination at 6-8 weeks before receiving boosts at 10-12 weeks.

SYMPTOMS

Dogs with parvo virus suffer from lethargy, vomiting and bloody diarrhoea.

The only prevention is vaccination.

Originally published as Vets warn of spike in parvo virus