Crookwell Veterinary Hospital is offering discounted vaccinations against parvovirus for people living in Upper Lachlan Shire and Goulburn Mulwaree Shire councils.
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A number of cases of canine parvovirus have been detected in the Goulburn area since January and cases are still being identified and treated.
Dr Jayde Costello from Crookwell Veterinary Hospital said she has treated two cases of parvovirus in nine-week-old unvaccinated puppies in the last week. Both puppies were from Goulburn.
Crookwell Vet Hospital has treated 14 cases of the virus this summer so far.
“There is a current outbreak and the subsidised vaccination program is for the benefit of the protection of the whole dog population”.
“The benefit of vaccinating a large percentage of the population is that it helps to protect the whole dog population through herd immunity similar to that in human children,” Dr Costello said.
Dr Costello wishes to stress that contracting the virus is not dependent on the interaction between dogs. The virus can be carried on items of clothing, shoes, or vehicles on to your property putting your animals at risk.
Parvovirus vaccines are among the most effective of the veterinary vaccines available, and vaccination is critical to control outbreaks of the virus. It is very rare for fully vaccinated dogs to develop signs of the disease, she said.
"However, it is important to understand that no vaccine, whether for veterinary or human medicine, can protect 100 per cent of the population.
"For a vaccine to provide immunity, the animal or person receiving the vaccine must be able to develop an appropriate immune response to the vaccine.
"Parvovirus almost always occurs in animals that aren’t vaccinated, or puppies less than 10-12 weeks of age that have not had their full course of vaccination."
Symptoms of parvovirus include lethargy; vomiting; bloody diarrhoea; and lack of appetite.
“Death occurs due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, the inability of the intestines to absorb essential nutrients, and secondary bacterial infection.”
Treatment may include supportive care, isolated barrier nursing, intravenous fluids to maintain hydration, antibiotics, pain relief, and antiemetics.
“In some cases with protein loss or rapid deterioration, we add in canine plasma to the treatment regime.”
“The Upper Lachlan Shire has good herd-immunity, with great uptake of vaccination by our canine clients.
"However, due to the close proximity of the current outbreak, and people travelling between Goulburn and Crookwell regularly, we need to maintain our excellent vaccination status,” Dr Costello said.
- One-off and full-course vaccinations are being offered at a discounted rate of $50 per vaccination. Dates and locations are as follows: February 21 in Crookwell at the Vet hospital and February 22 in Goulburn at Hudson Park. Bookings are essential - phone 4832 1977.
