Whyalla has recorded its first case of Canine Parvovirus for 2020 when a dog presented to the Whyalla Veterinary Clinic with drooling, dehydration and bloody diarrhoea and returned a positive test to Parvovirus.
The weather in March is proving perfect for the spread of parvovirus with some moisture in the ground from recent rains, not to hot and not too cold. The perfect conditions for the for parvovirus to survive and infect other dogs.
Parvovirus is a debilitating disease of dogs, causing vomiting, dehydration, bloody diarrhoea and often death if it is not promptly treated. It is passed on through contaminated dog faeces. If your dog becomes unwell, has any vomiting, suddenly becomes quiet and lifeless or has bloody diarrhoea, please seek medical attention sooner rather than later.
The sign of parvovirus, large quantities of smelly bloody diarrhoea
Vaccination is the best way to avoid parvovirus and the new vaccines are so effective that one manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim, has offered to pay for the treatment of any vaccinated dog* that comes down with parvovirus.
The message is clear: Vaccinate your dog and like the corona virus, isolate unvaccinated dogs until they are vaccinated, that is, two weeks after an adult dog has their yearly vaccination or two weeks after a puppies 16 week booster.
Dogs can be vaccinated at the Whyalla Veterinary Clinic which is open 7 days a week, despite the corona virus pandemic. There is NO weekend surcharge for consults and vaccinations carried out on the weekend during the normal opening hours.