Veterinarians say they’ve been treating more parvovirus cases than usual this season.
The canine disease has been making dogs sick for approximately 30 years, and Dr. Alain Fafard, a veterinarian at Furry Friends Animal Hospital in Saskatoon, said it isn’t unusual to see an occasional spike in cases.
“It sort of waxes and wanes,” he said.
“There’ll be times when it isn’t that rampant, and then other times, like right now, we seem to be seeing an increase in the number of cases we’re seeing.”
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Fafard said the high number of urban cases is probably due to either an increase in the dog population or a decrease in the number of vaccinations.
Rural veterinarians note a similar rise in cases.
Dr. Roy Lewis, a veterinarian at the Westlock Veterinary Centre in Westlock, Alta., attributes it to the number of unvaccinated dogs that run free in the area.
“The minute you get a bunch of nonvaccinated dogs running around, it becomes more common,” he said.
Pet owners in rural areas may be less likely to vaccinate their dogs than those in urban areas, he added.
Parvovirus is a contagious disease transmitted through the fecal-oral route. It is picked up when a dog eats or licks the feces of an infected dog, either off the ground or on a dog’s fur.
Vaccination is the easiest way to prevent the spread of the virus.
“It’s a disease that’s way easier to prevent rather than treat,” Fafard said.
Parvovirus vaccinations begin when a puppy is six to eight weeks old.
The puppy receives a second shot at approximately 12 weeks and a third at approximately 16 weeks.
Clinics will then administer a shot either annually or every three years.
Lewis said most dogs that receive the vaccination never develop the disease.
“We get the odd dog with it in spite of the vaccination, but that’s relatively rare.”
Symptoms of parvovirus include profuse vomiting and diarrhea, depression, lack of appetite and difficulty walking or standing.
Can be fatal
It is important that dogs with these symptoms receive treatment as soon as possible. The virus causes severe gastro-intestinal disease, which could lead to dehydration and death.
“It’s quite often fatal, especially if left untreated,” Fafard said.
“And sometimes, despite the most aggressive treatments, it’s still fatal.”
Lewis agreed that the virus generally kills the dog if left untreated, but said treatment can make a difference.
“We’ve had at least a 95 percent survival rate with treatment.”
He said Rottweilers and Dobermans have the most difficulty with the disease.
“Large breed dogs, if they get it, seem to get it the worst.”
Fafard and Lewis urge owners to make sure their puppies are vaccinated and to take their dogs to see a veterinarian if symptoms appear.
