A celebrity vet is warning dog owners of a possible epidemic following the diagnosis of a ‘killer’ virus in Whitchurch.
Tom Leonard, from the Leonard Brothers Veterinary Centre in Whitchurch, says the virus, parvoviral enteritis, is highly contagious.
More commonly found in cities, the virus is said to be rare in rural areas and Mr Leonard’s practice has only treated one other case since opening in 2005.
The virus causes bleeding in the intestines, diarrhoea and vomiting and death can follow very quickly due to toxins and dehydration.
If dogs are not vaccinated against the virus, which cannot be passed on to humans, Mr Leonard fears there could be an epidemic. It was confirmed this week that a 12-month-old terrier brought in to the surgery two weeks ago had contracted parvoviral enteritis. The dog has now returned home and is recovering.
Mr Leonard, who appeared in popular TV show Vets in Practice with his brother Steve, said: “Parvoviral enteritis has just been diagnosed in a dog in Whitchurch. The last case we had was when we first opened. To see it again is not good. It has got the potential to affect any dog.”
Mr Leonard said puppies were particularly vulnerable to the illness and symptoms would only start to show between four and seven days after the canine caught the virus.
He added: “Without very intensive treatment death occurs. Even with the very best treatment only about 50 per cent of cases survive. The main source of infection is through the faeces and vomit of infected dogs. It can also be spread if the virus particles get onto people’s clothes and shoes.
“The virus can survive in grass or on pavements for up to a year and remains infectious for this time. Vaccinating your dog is the easiest way to prevent infection.”
Treatment of parvo virus infection costs from £600 to £800 with only a 50 percent chance of the dog surviving, but the vaccine only costs around £29.
l For more information, call the Leonard Brothers Veterinary Centre on 01948 662424 or visit the website www.vaccinationmonth.co.uk
