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Dog owners warned of possible parvovirus outbreak

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Newcastle dog owners are being warned an outbreak of parvovirus could be hitting the region after several cases were reported this week.

The team at Wallsend Vet Newcastle has dealt with three cases of the highly-infectious disease since Monday 13 September.

Potentially fatal, canine parvovirus, or “parvo” is highly destructive to a pet’s body.

Wallsend Vet Newcastle veterinary nurse Hayley Fewings says recent cases highlight the need for pet owners to remain vigilant.

“In the last week we’ve had three local dogs with parvovirus present to us for treatment,” she said.

“We have also received reports of other local vet hospitals treating recent parvo patients.

“It is vital that your dog is up to date with their yearly C5 vaccination to ensure they keep up their protection against this dangerous virus.”

Parvovirus is caught when dogs come into contact with an animal, an area of earth, or other material that has been contaminated by an animal carrying parvo.

“The virus itself can lay dormant in the environment for several years before it dies off, meaning that you and your pet can come across it anywhere, at any time,” Ms Fewings says.

Symptoms of parvovirus include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and reluctance to eat.

Ms Fewings warns blood may or may not be present in vomit or faeces, depending on the stage of the virus.

“If you think your dog has any of these symptoms please call your local vet ASAP,” she said.

To avoid parvovirus owners are reminded to keep their dogs up to date with annual vaccinations, not to take puppies outdoors until two weeks after they’ve had their third and final vaccinations, not to allow their dogs to socialise with unvaccinated dogs, and to learn the signs and symptoms of the virus.

“We have high infection control procedures designed to keep our hospital free of parvovirus contamination whilst we are treating diagnosed parvovirus patients,” Ms Fewings told Newcastle Weekly.

“Our parvovirus patients are kept safe in an isolation facility separate to our main hospital facility and strict protocols are followed so no contamination leaves this isolation facility.”

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