Owners urged to ensure dogs vaccinated against deadly bug

Kent dog owners are being reminded to properly vaccinate their canines after a spate of cases of the deadly parvovirus disease in the region.

In the past two weeks, the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) has seen six incidences of the highly contagious virus, which has so far claimed the lives of two dogs in the Medway area, according to Kent Online.

Symptoms of the illness include severe vomiting, diarrhoea and a fever, with the condition particularly dangerous for younger canines and puppies.

The virus is generally passed from dog to dog via faecal matter, so it is important owners in the region make sure they keep their animal on a short leash when in areas with other pets.

Jennie Keen, head nurse at PDSA Gillingham PetAid hospital, said: “This [disease] causes terrible suffering for the dog. This is particularly upsetting because vaccination against the disease is readily available, yet many owners are leaving their dogs unprotected.”

Anyone that does not have their pet properly covered for common viruses should visit their vet and mitigate any future problems as soon as possible.

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