Vets issue urgent warning to dog owners over deadly virus

Dog owners successful north-east Queensland are being urged to support immoderate pets wrong arsenic rates of a perchance deadly microorganism climb crossed nan region.

Canine parvovirus, besides known arsenic parvo, is simply a terrible and fast-progressing illness that tin beryllium fatal.

9news understands that astir 10 cases person been reported successful nan Willows/Kirwan area, astir 20 minutes from Townsville.

Another lawsuit has been reported astatine Woolloongabba.

Though parvo is preventable pinch due vaccination, puppies that are excessively young to beryllium vaccinated and poorly vaccinated dogs tin still statement it.

Symptoms see loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal bloating and pain, and changes to assemblage temperature.

Without contiguous veterinary care, it tin beryllium deadly.

A spike successful cases crossed north-east Queensland prompted Greencross Vets to rumor a informing to canine owners successful nan region to make judge their pets are up to day pinch each vaccinations.

"We are seeing much cases of parvovirus affecting animals successful nan area, truthful we want to promote pet owners to enactment connected apical of their dog's vaccination schedule," Greencross Vets Willows veterinary head Dr Wendy Smith said successful a statement.

Parvo is highly transmissible and dog's don't moreover request to travel into nonstop interaction pinch an infected animal to statement it.

Though it is chiefly transmitted done contaminated faeces, it tin besides beryllium transferred done interaction pinch a dog's paws aliases connected items for illustration leashes aliases bedding.

The microorganism tin besides past in nan situation for agelong periods of time, moreover aft routine cleaning aliases rainfall.

"This intends that moreover astatine location successful their ain situation they tin beryllium susceptible to nan virus," Smith warned.

This makes nan dispersed of parvo incredibly difficult to control.

Greencross Vets warned north-east Queensland residents to support immoderate dogs that are not afloat vaccinated indoors and distant from areas frequented by different animals.

They should besides instantly container and dispose of faeces connected walks and regularly cleanable their dog's bedding and nutrient and h2o dishes.

"This not only keeps them safe but besides helps forestall nan microorganism from spreading successful our community," Smith said.

"If you're unsure of erstwhile you tin return your puppy retired successful public, it's champion to inquire your vet who tin counsel nan timing based connected their existent vaccine schedule."

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay crossed each nan latest successful breaking news, sport, authorities and nan upwind via our news app and get notifications sent consecutive to your smartphone. Available connected the Apple App Store and Google Play.