Parvovirus

VERY infectious

Canine parvovirus is a term generally used to describe the severe illness caused by a highly infectious virus (the parvovirus) in dogs. The most common form of the illness is a gastroenteritis with persistent vomiting and profuse diarrhoea,  usually with lots of blood. Rasperry jam has been used to describe this - sorry!. The virus causes widespread ulceration of the intestine and dogs which survive often are left with very sensitive tummies. The symptoms lead to a serious fluid loss, resulting in dehydration. If not treated promptly and intensively, death may result.

This has been isolated in a Parkside dog recently (26/11/07), so the infection is active in Dundee.

The illness is easily prevented by vaccination against the parvovirus and this is included in all routine dog vaccinations.

Read the warning issued earlier this year by NOAH (National Office of Animal Health) HERE