DNeowgsowners given virus warning
VETS are warning owners to get their pets vaccinated after the deadly and highly infectious parvovirus nearly killed a puppy.
Blue, a Doberman, required seven days of treatment in an isolation ward to pull through.
His condition was so critical that vets warned his owners that their beloved pup might not survive.
Now, his owner, Danielle Hargreaves, and Armac Vets in Bury who treated him, are urging people to get their dogs protected to prevent the spread of parvo, with puppies and unvaccinated dogs – including those that have not yet had their booster injections – most at risk.
Blue’s symptoms started with vomiting when he was ten weeks old shortly before he was due to have his second vaccination. Danielle initially assumed he had a stomach bug but his condition worsened over the next 24 hours.
As well as being sick, he also became lethargic, lost interest in food and had diarrhoea. The following morning, Danielle saw that Blue was passing blood and she rushed him to see a vet where he tested positive for parvovirus.
Danielle, from Rochdale, said: “They couldn’t give me a prognosis. That was hard. I know with parvo they can throw all the treatment at it and some dogs survive, and some don’t.”
Vet Hannah Darke, who was part of the team that cared for Blue, said: “He was really poorly. His blood pressure was up and down, and he was very sleepy. As we were rehydrating him, the parvovirus was dehydrating him at the same time. I don’t think the owner ever lost hope. But it took a long time.”