With the arrival of spring we commonly see an increase in the incidence of pups and young dogs infected with parvovirus. This year is no different and patient Rosie who is being cared for in our high care isolation area is just one of several infected dogs we have treated recently. 

Parvovirus is a horrid and very painful disease for affected animals and the frustrating thing is it can be prevented. Vet Andrew Denman runs over the 'need to know' information for dog owners - don't let your pup be at risk of such a distressing condition. 

What is Parvovirus?

Parvovirus is a viral infection that can make your dog very sick very quickly and can be fatal if not treated early. The common signs of parvovirus infection are fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, lethargy and lack of appetite.

How does my dog get infected?

The virus is spread via the faeces of infected dogs. The virus is very hardy and can survive in the environment for months. Your dog will normally get infected by close contact with other dogs that are already infected. However the virus may be transported on objects (shoes, car tyres etc) to your property, so your dog may become infected with parvovirus without direct contact with an infected dog! The virus can be airborne and we seem to see more cases in hot windy weather.

Is my dog at risk?

We normally see parvovirus infection in unvaccinated puppies from 6-20 weeks of age, but older dogs that have not been vaccinated for a long time are also at risk. We rarely see parvovirus in vaccinated dogs. Some breeds of dogs seem to be more susceptible to infection then others.

What to do if you suspect your dog has Parvovirus?

If you think your puppy has parvovirus then contact Orange Vet Hospital immediately. It is important to ring the vet first to discuss how best to bring your dog into the hospital to prevent contamination and spread of the disease.

How can you prevent infection?

Fortunately there is a very effective vaccine to protect your dog against Parvovirus infection. Puppy vaccination courses start at 6 weeks of age, with a final booster after 12 weeks, we then recommend annual vaccination as part of your dog’s annual health check. 

We came across some pretty special photos this month.

Have you ever seen a dog trying to catch a treat mid air?

Click here for some of the best slow motion pics you'll ever see!

We often refer to kidney disease as the silent killer as it can sneak up on your pet and signs may be subtle and hard to notice. This type of kidney disease is referred to as chronic kidney disease and is something we may detect in an older cat.

In other cases, kidney disease can come on quickly following an insult from a toxin, a certain drug or a disease. This is referred to as acute kidney disease and might for example occur in a dog who has eaten grapes or sultanas that contain a kidney toxin.

The kidneys contain thousands of little factories called nephrons and their job is to work out how much water should be conserved in the body. Once damaged or destroyed, nephrons do not function properly and can't regenerate. As a result, the body doesn't conserve enough water so your pet will urinate more and will drink more to stay hydrated. Surprisingly, your pet may not show any changes on blood tests until 75% of these nephrons are damaged.

 Signs to watch out for:

• increased thirst
• increased urination
• weight loss
• vomiting
• lethargy

Measuring your pet's water intake over 24 hours and bringing us a morning urine sample are two things you can do to get the investigation process started. A blood test, urine testing and a measure of your pet's blood pressure may then be necessary. If we detect the kidneys are not working properly, the earlier we initiate treatment with diet modification the better.

There is also now a new medication available that can help reduce protein loss through the kidneys and can help slow the progress of this insidious disease. Ask us if your pet requires this medication.

If you are worried about your pet you should phone us for advice.