Randwick Vet Dr Simon Roberts Recommends Parvovirus Vaccination Have you heard of canine parvovirus?

Parvovirus infection causes severe enteritis with haemorrhagic diarrhoea and profuse vomiting. Dogs that contract this disease suffer greatly, and, sadly, some will succumb to the illness. Dr Simon Roberts has seen many cases of parvoviral enteritis over the past two decades as a Maroubra et, and is passionate about educating owners to vaccinate their pets against this virus. !Parvoviral infection may simply start with a pup becoming a bit "uiet and going off their food, but they will then "uic#ly develop a fever and start vomiting. $nce the diarrhoea starts they are at great ris# of becoming dehydrated, as well as losing valuable nutrients in their vomit and faeces%, says the e&perienced Maroubra vet. !Dogs infected with parvovirus re"uire intensive veterinary and nursing attention, with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, pain relief and special food and medications to protect their intestines from further damage. 's this is a very infectious affliction, they must be #ept isolated from other animals in the hospital, and they often stay for a wee# or more. (ot only is this stressful and painful for the dog, it is also worrying for their owner to see their beloved pet suffering%, adds Dr Roberts, Randwic# vet. Dogs can easily become infected with parvovirus )ust by contacting the stools from another dog, or even having a fly land on their food that has been on infected faeces. !*esting for parvovirus involves collecting a faecal sample and performing a simple +, minute test. -e will then have a good idea of whether or not we are dealing with parvoviral enteritis%, states the Randwic# vet. Regular vaccination against parvovirus is the best way of preventing this disease from attac#ing your beloved doggy friend. ' young puppy should be given their first vaccination at ./0 wee#s of age, with a booster vaccine at +, wee#s. !*o grow into happy adults that are comfortable playing with other dogs, it is vital that puppies be well socialised. $ur vaccination protocol ta#es this important re"uirement into account, and early vaccination means pups can safely attend puppy preschool to start learning good manners%, advises the Maroubra vet. Prevention is definitely better than the cure when it comes to parvovirus infection. *o discuss vaccinations and general health care, or to ma#e an appointment, call the team at Struggletown et Randwic# on 1,23 4540 0,,, or visit http677struggletownvet.com.au7vet/ services7vaccinations7.