Keep dogs safe from killer virus (From Barry And District News)

Keep dogs safe from killer virus

A BARRY vet is warning dog-owners that Parvovirus is on the increase in the Vale of Glamorgan.

In a bid to raise awareness, Andrew Thomas of Petherton's Veterinary Surgery is appealing to all dog owners to take care of their pets.

He said: "This is a particularly nasty illness that only affects dogs and foxes. But it's one that can be fatal within hours of the dog showing symptoms."

Andrew is particularly concerned because the illness has not been seen in Barry for many years. But now he has seen five fatal cases in the last fortnight.

He added: "There is only a 30 percent survival rate. It takes many days of intensive intravenous drips and the cost could amount to several hundred pounds. But the dog is normally so ill they just cannot pull through. Very often, there is no point in even trying to treat them."

The virus is dangerous because it can lie dormant for up to a year. If you or your dog walk over an area where an infected dog has been to the toilet, the illness can be passed on even if there is no evidence of it.

It takes between three and seven days to incubate, but a dog can be healthy one day and ill the next.

Andrew said: "The symptoms vary. The dog can suffer from violent diarrhoea with blood, vomiting, abdominal pain, refusal of food and water. But sometimes the dog just goes downhill rapidly. The eventual cause of death is severe dehydration."

The illness is still common in Cardiff, but had not been seen in Barry for years. Andrew is now worried that this is a sign of things to come. He said: "It is vital that all dog-owners keep their pets vaccinated and have annual boosters to prevent this horrible disease striking."

For further information on Parvovirus, contact your local veterinary surgery.