Vets warn of killer dog disease outbreak in Gloucestershire (From Gazette Series)

Vets warn of killer dog disease outbreak in Gloucestershire

11:30am Monday 19th July 2010 in

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VETS have warned of an outbreak of a killer dog disease in Gloucestershire.

The Coppins Veterinary Practice in Wotton-under-Edge has issued an urgent warning to local dog owners after two puppies were brought into the clinic with suspected parvovirus – a deadly disease.

A third case of the disease has also been reported at the clinic.

Vets at the practice saw the first suspected parvovirus case last week when a nine month old unvaccinated puppy with all the symptoms of the disease was brought in, he is making a slow recovery.

Shortly afterwards two five-week old lurcher puppies were brought in a few days before their vaccinations were due. Sadly the puppies were put to sleep on welfare grounds to prevent further suffering.

"As soon as we saw the two Lurcher puppies suffering with parvovirus symptoms we had to issue an alert to the people of Gloucestershire," said vet, Sian Morgan. "Parvovirus is a particularly nasty disease that can kill within two to three days of symptoms first being noticed."

The practice recommends keeping unvaccinated dogs indoors until you can get them to a vet for injections.

Symptoms come on quickly and include diarrhoea, vomiting and lethargy.

The Coppins Practice is launching a vaccine amnesty this week where animals can received the full course of vaccinations for the price of a booster, if their vaccinations have lapsed.