A leading Ireland vet practice is warning dog owners to be vigilant after a confirmed outbreak of a potentially-lethal condition in the region.
MyVet, which is owned by Linnaeus and has surgeries in Lucan and Firhouse, has issued the warning in the wake of several confirmed cases of parvovirus, a viral infection which is extremely contagious and often leads to death if left untreated.
The virus brings around symptoms of severe vomiting and diarrhoea, and puppies who have not had their full vaccination course are at particularly high risk.
Shauna Quinn, lead veterinary surgeon at MyVet, said: “Parvovirus can have quite a severe impact on affected dogs and can impact dogs of all breeds and age.
“The virus can spread through direct contact or infected faeces and affected dogs can even spread the virus after recovery for up to eight weeks.
“Symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhoea, often with blood.
“Unfortunately, the virus is highly resistant and can remain in the environment for many months outside, so it’s important to spread the word about it so that more dog owners can be aware of its severity, take precautions and be able to spot the symptoms.”
The best way to protect against parvovirus is to have dogs vaccinated as puppies, with an additional booster vaccination usually done at one year of age.
“If you think your dog is displaying any symptoms of parvovirus, get in touch with your local vet straight away. There is an instant test that can be done on a faecal sample or swabs, so treatment can be started immediately,” added Shauna.
For more information about My Vet, visit www.myvet.ie. For more information about Linnaeus, visit www.linnaeusgroup.co.uk or search for Linnaeus on social media.
[Source: Vetclick]
[Photo: Shauna Quinn, lead veterinary surgeon at MyVet]
