Parvovirus Warning!

There have been some recent cases of Parvovirus in the Hunter area, so please ensure that your dogs are up to date with their vaccinations, and avoid high traffic areas where possible if your dogs vaccinations have fallen behind (e.g. dog parks, popular dog walking tracks, etc.). Parvovirus is a highly infectious agent that infects young puppies and dogs, and causes characteristic bloody diarrhea.

Parvovirus kills up to 80-95% of unvaccinated puppies.

The virus is spread by the faeces of an infected dog. A dog can pick up the virus through the ingestion of infected grass, water, food that can be found in public areas such as dog parks. Common signs of parvovirus in a dog:

Bloody, smelly diarrhoea
Vomiting
Off food
Lethargy
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Parvovirus is normally diagnosed based on vaccination history, clinical signs, blood or faecal testing. Dogs with parvovirus often require urgent care in order to give the dog the best chance of survival. Veterinary management may include: