Parvovirus is a highly contagious intestinal disease that can kill, and it’s showing up in the Calgary area.
The disease is extremely contagious, and is most dangerous to young dogs or dogs that have not been vaccinated.
"The virus can live in the environment under certain conditions for a long time,” said Dr. Brian McBride, Coach Hill Veterinary Hospital. “So if animals are exposed to an infected dog or feces from an infected dog they can pick it up."
The symptoms come on quickly, and while the survival rate is about 70%, some dogs become severely ill and can die.
"Animals can become lethargic, their appetite can become decreased so they'll be eating less but the most common signs that we see is vomiting and diarrhea," said McBride.
Vaccinating is the best defense, and most dog owners understand that.
"If you get an animal it’s just the price you pay being responsible, taking care of them,” said Kendra Edworthy, who has a new puppy.
But Edworthy would also like dog owners to be responsible in other ways too.
“It’s frustrating when you see people who are not picking up after their dogs, I mean, it’s such a simple task and it’s something that can help out a lot, obviously prevent these kind of sicknesses.”
Three shots of the vaccine costs upwards of $200, a lot cheaper than the $1000 you will spend to treat a sick animal.
The majority of parvovirus infections are seen in puppies between six weeks and six months old. People and other animals are not at risk.
