Puppy owners urged to get further parvo vaccination

Following an outbreak of parvo virus in South Yorkshire, Abbey Vets are warning puppy owners that their pets may not be protected from the deadly disease even if they have already been vaccinated.

Abbey have written to their 1400 clients with puppies who they vaccinated in the last year, urging them to get a further parvo vaccine.

Tony Duffy of Abbey Vets said: “While the vaccination that puppies have already had should be effective, we are recommending a further injection to be given at 16 weeks of age or as soon as possible if a puppy is now older.

“Vaccination has been and is still very effective. However at this time because of the increased incidence of parvo virus, maternal antibodies in puppies may well be higher than normal, preventing the initial vaccine from being fully effective.

“We would also advise people to take extra precautions to keep their puppy away from areas where dogs congregate, such as parks, until a week after the extra injection,” he added.

Mr Duffy said adult dogs that had had their first annual booster and were up to date with vaccination would not need the additional parvo vaccine.

Abbey Vets, who have branches in Barnsley and Sheffield, have treated a number of puppies with parvo virus and all have survived.

Affected dogs generally start with vomiting, rapidly followed by severe bloody diarrhoea with anorexia, leading to weakness and dehydration followed by collapse and in many cases death. Early treatment, especially with immune antibodies, is extremely important.

If you have any queries, please contact our main centre on 01226 242217 or ask at any of our branches.