Warning from vets: Parvovirus epidemic striking Whanganui dogs

A puppy with parvo requires intensive, expensive treatment and still may not survive.

Whanganui is in the grips of a parvovirus epidemic that is killing dogs or making them seriously ill.

Canine parvovirus, known as parvo, is a highly contagious viral disease that has most impact on puppies but is also seen in adult dogs. It attacks the blood cells, affecting puppies' growth, and the intestines in particular, because the dog cannot absorb nutrients.

Whanganui veterinarian Dr Chelsea Underwood, of Vets on Carlton, said they were currently diagnosing an average of one case of parvo a day.

"The worst I've seen before is one case every week or two weeks but last week we diagnosed five cases," Dr Underwood said.

"The last couple of summers have been quieter than usual but this is a full-blown epidemic. We have averaged one case a day for the past two to three weeks but sometimes we're seeing two or three per day."

Parvo is more common in large breeds and black and tan dogs such as rottweilers, dobermans and huntaways, Dr Underwood said.

"It's such a disheartening disease. We have young puppies coming in and they just die. You put all your heart and treatment into them and they just don't make it, all for the sake of a $55 vaccine.

"It's important to call your vet first if you think your dog may have parvo because it is putting all other dogs at risk. The last thing we want is to have parvo in the clinic. If you call ahead, we can come out to the car to test them.

"The earlier you bring them in, the better chance we can prevent the vomiting and diarrhoea from dehydrating them. Without any treatment, most of them die. Many survive if they are hospitalised on fluids and really aggressive treatment."

Dr Underwood said unvaccinated dogs can carry parvovirus without showing any symptoms of the disease.

"Parvo lasts about two years in the environment - it doesn't take much for your dog to catch it," she said.

"People can carry it on their shoes and clothing so be very careful if you're visiting houses with puppies or if people are visiting your house and you have a puppy. Don't take your dog out of your own yard until it has been fully vaccinated.

"The best thing you can do is get a $55 vaccination for your puppy. If it gets parvo, for a vet to look after it properly will cost $800 to $1000 or up to $2000."

Dr Rebecca Kinley, of Wanganui Veterinary Services, said their clinic had received an increased number of phone calls and had diagnosed about six parvo cases that required intensive treatment in the past few weeks.

"Some cases don't make it to the clinic because the dog is found dead," Dr Kinley said.

"Although we aren't seeing the numbers that Vets on Carlton is, parvo can be quite localised to pockets of a town of this size and an average of one case a day is an epidemic.

"It can be shattering and takes hours of intensive treatment for something that can be prevented for $55."

First Vets' veterinarians were fully booked for consultations and unavailable for comment on cases of parvo seen at their clinic.

Signs of parvovirus
Symptoms can vary but generally the disease's progress is:
Puppies usually become off-colour and start vomiting clear fluid, sometimes with food in it.
They may develop diarrhoea immediately or it may take some time to develop and last from a few days to a week.
The pup may drool.
They will not be able to keep down food or water.
Blood from their intestinal lining will then appear in the vomit and diarrhoea, leading to life-threatening dehydration.