Dog owners urged to vaccinate pets as vets report outbreak of deadly virus
VETS in Hull have reported an outbreak of a deadly virus in dogs.
Owners are being urged to have their pets vaccinated to protect them against parvovirus.
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PDSA's Hull PetAid hospital has been treating about 30 cases a month of suspected parvovirus recently.
Staff at the PDSA's Hull PetAid hospital, in Brunswick Avenue, west Hull have treated about 30 cases a month of suspected parvovirus, on top of the normal number of pets that they see.
In the last three months more than 84 dogs with suspected parvovirus have been treated.
The main symptoms of parvovirus are vomiting and diarrhoea.
If left untreated, it can be fatal and is particularly serious in puppies, as they also risk developing heart disease from the virus.
Murtagh McDonnell, PDSA senior veterinary surgeon, said: "This sudden outbreak of cases is extremely worrying.
"We're seeing 14-times the usual number of cases and every day there are more seriously ill dogs being brought into us.
"Sadly, despite doing everything we can, we've already had some fatalities.
"The best way to protect your dogs against parvovirus is to ensure they are vaccinated"
The PDSA's isolation ward, which only has seven kennel and cattery spaces, is currently full to capacity with dogs that are receiving intensive nursing care.
Dog owners who suspect their pet may have the disease, or is showing symptoms of it, are being advised to keep them isolated and call their vet for advice.
Do not take the dog into the vets without calling first as it could spread the disease to unvaccinated puppies and dogs in the waiting room.
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by Benefits Dodger, Mostly down Witham on a Sat night
Monday, September 20 2010, 12:38AM
“I am on benefits, I breed dogs and make loadsamoney!!! What I do is, I drive a massive Range Rover, i'm not kidding and I drive down to the PDSA with my poorly animals and take up the precious time of the vets and vet nurse who are up against a system that allows spongers like me to use and abuse their services. I am on all the correct benefits to qualify, I sell my pups for lots of money. I would rather USE the PDSA and save loads of cash in vet fees, then go and do what i'm good at spending all that saved money down Witham! Really sorry to MOI of Hull, but the reason that your animal cant be fitted in right now is because me and all my fellow benefit dodgers are stretching the Charity run PDSA to the max...Oh and if I don't get seen on time i'll stamp my feet, because I'm used to getting everything laid on in this world!!! If you are a genuine individual who has a sick animal, then I DONT apologise because I've got loadsamoney and you haven't!”
by Glenroy, Barking Mad
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 5:34PM
“Im just hoping the owner of the dog that s**ts (at least twice a week) outside my house catches a good dose of parvo.”
by Walter, Hull
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 8:11AM
“Phil
And had these adult dogs been given their initial vaccinations against parvo?
Billy - the other day you said that you lived near East Park and could hear the concert for free. That has got to mean Holderness Road, Summergangs Road or James Reckitt. Are you saying that dogs are chasing cars along those busy roads?”
by Phil, Hull
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 10:20PM
“Walter, my comments regarding the booster shots was in relation to earlier discussion of booster jabs. I'm well aware that my own case is not related to this, however my own dog was treated at the Vets Now hospital (it shares the premises with the PDSA but is unrelated) and a number of the dogs being treated with similar symptoms were adult dogs.”
by Bob, W.Hull
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 10:18PM
“I use the PDSA and know how difficult they are finding it coping with the influx of Parvo dogs. Anyone who has seen the photos of the poor puppy that had parvo will understand why they are asking pet owners to vaccinate their dogs. They have been fab with us and have always trusted their opinions.
I took in a rescue dog that had Parvo (didn't know until it was too late) and saw him suffer dreadfully with it, he was in excruciating pain and the vet nearly lost him on several occasions. He lived, just, but was a long time recovering from it...
Thankfully my own dogs didn't catch it as they were all vaccinated. I would NEVER chance putting a dog through such agony, especially when it can be prevented with a simple yearly booster.
I volunteer for a dog rescue and have also encountered dogs who have reacted to the vaccinations, so I do understand and respect both sides to the argument.
My dogs are going for their annual boosters tomorrow and I will do so with a balanced, researched knowledge that I am doing so with my dogs best interests at heart.”