By MATT NICHOLLS
ARMIDALE vets are urging dog owners to get their pets vaccinated as parvovirus spreads around the region.
There have been a significant number of parvo deaths in the last month and dogs that aren’t vaccinated are at high risk.
“We normally get outbreaks at this time of the year, but there’s been a few more than usual,” Creeklands Veterinary Surgery’s Bernie May said.
“We’ve had four dogs (with parvo) come here, two of which died and the other two were sent home.”
Dr May said treating parvovirus was difficult and expensive.
“It would cost around $600 to treat and there’s no guarantee,” he said.
“It involves blood transfusions and IV drips.”
Dr May said it was vital that all dog owners had their pets vaccinated.
“The vet association says dogs should be vaccinated every three years and I say six, but in my time I’ve never seen a dog get parvo after it was vaccinated as a pup,” he said.
“It’s an extremely effective vaccination.”
Some of the symptoms of parvo include loss of apetite, vomiting and diarrhea, often with blood in the faeces.
“I’ve seen instances when a healthy dog can die in a matter of hours,” Dr May said.
“Normally it’s a bit longer than that, but it’s a very nasty virus.”
