Virus outbreak kills seven dogs in Colne

9:00am Wednesday 16th February 2011

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SEVEN puppies have died after an outbreak of a dog virus.

Vet Patrick Moore said he had treated the animals at his Stanley House surgery in Colne over recent weeks.

the deaths prompted a dog welfare officer to warn pet owners of the dangers of parvovirus.

And now people are being urged to get their dogs vaccinated to avoid a larger outbreak.

Mr Moore said the disease spread between dogs very easily.

He said: “It is contracted by coming into contact with the faeces of other infected dogs.

“The disease is not very common, though small outbreaks are relatively frequent, one having occurred in Burnley a couple of years ago.

“We think the first group of dogs, which the dog warden brought in, were Staffordshire bull terrier cross breeds. since then, we have had a mixture.

“It is a resilient virus, which can survive in the environment for months.”

Puppies are particularly at risk with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea with blood.

around 80 per cent of puppies diagnosed die from the virus.

Parvovirus occurs in almost all breeds of dog and attacks the heart muscle and intestinal tract.

Symptoms include vomiting, a foul-smelling diarrhoea that may contain blood, lethargy and loss of appetite, but may not be apparent in older animals.

A spokesman for Myerscough Group, which has practices across East Lancashire, said there had been one confirmed case, involving an unvaccinated young dog, at its Padiham surgery within the past fortnight.

the dog was successfully treated.

Mr Moore has urged pet owners to ensure their dogs are given their yearly booster jab.

He said: “Parvovirus causes very serious disease in dogs.

“Treatment can be expensive, running into hundreds of pounds, and isn’t always successful.

“Immunity from puppy vaccinations doesn’t last for life.

“The only way to ensure your dog is protected against life-threatening diseases such as parvovirus is to make sure they receive an annual vaccination to boost their immunity.”

Pendle Borough Council’s Environmental Crime Team warned that, contrary to common belief, parvovirus vaccines given to puppies do not last throughout an animal’s life.

Dog welfare officer Kat Bullas said: “It is so important that owners take their dogs to the vet for booster injections every year.”

Coun James Starkie said: “It’s sad that we’ve lost these dogs in Pendle.

“Here is another alarmingly important reason for owners to clear up after their dogs.”

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