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Our vet team is starting to hear reports of parvovirus cases around Christchurch again, so we encourage all dog owners to plan for, and prioritise their dog's essential vaccinations to prevent heartbreak. Parvovirus is highly preventable with the right vaccinations. It is important to factor in the cost for the vaccination to your household budget, this is an effective way of avoiding parvovirus, the cost of this is far less than managing the cost of a very unwell dog. Unvaccinated dogs, and young dogs who are still to complete their primary vaccination course are most at risk of contracting this highly contagious viral disease which affects the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. It can be passed on when dogs sniff, lick or eat contaminated faeces, or when dogs come into contact with contaminated food and water bowls, or footwear that contains the virus. The signs of parvovirus usually occur within five to seven days of exposure and can include: lethargy lack of appetite fever vomiting diarrhoea
REDUCE THE RISK FOR YOUR DOG: Get your dog vaccinated. Stay away from unvaccinated dogs, and areas where dogs, who may be contaminated visit. Keep your pooch safe on properties with no history of parvovirus. The disease can survive in the affected area for many months. Make sure visitors to your property do not bring potentially contaminated material, such as poo on their shoe!
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