Parvo Virus Hits Faversham

Article published 15 August, 2008 by Editor

A lethal canine flu is infecting dogs in Faversham. The highly contagious Parvo Virus causes lethargy, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Lady Dane's Clinical Director, Jasper Gale, knows of two suspected and six confirmed cases of Parvo Virus, saying "The Parvo Virus is difficult to destroy and we have got a nasty outbreak in the Faversham and Sittingbourne areas. Few than half of all dogs are vaccinated and there is no cure at all. All we can do is give them support, put them on drips and give them plasma and blood transfusions. It is rapidly fatal.

Jasper recommends that puppies are vaccinated at eight weeks if possible, although they could be done at any age.

The Parvo Virus does not affect humans, but if attacks the gastrointestinal tract of young dogs and suppresses their immune system by destroying the white blood cells.  Affected dogs will usually display symptoms between 4 and 7 days from exposure, the initial signs being listlessness, anorexia and vomiting. This then progresses rapidly to dehydration, diarrhoea and severe lethargy.

I can send dogs into a state of shock and eventually kill them through a second bacterial infection. It transfers from dog to dog very easily and it is strongly recommended that owners ensure their dogs are vaccinated.

© 2008 Clifford George Partnership

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