A fresh plea to pet owners has been made in an effort to prevent a deadly canine condition getting a hold in Angus and Perthshire.
The deadly parvovirus has already claimed the life of one puppy but veterinary surgeons were pleased with the response to a call they previously made for dog owners to have their animals vaccinated against the disease.
They said there had been a highly encouraging response to an inoculation amnesty set up to allow owners to get their animals injections up to date at a reduced price but now fear there are indications the virus may be creeping back.
Parvovirus causes bloody vomiting and diarrhoea and if untreated, is usually fatal. Even with prompt and intensive treatment, not all dogs will survive the condition.
It can claim a dog in as little as 24 hours and although fit animals can recover in a week if they manage to overcome the virus, for others it can leave long-term health problems.
Gavin Durston, of the Kirriemuir-based Thrums Veterinary Group, which also operates in Forfar and Blairgowrie, said parvovirus vaccines are highly effective and could prevent owners enduring the heartache of seeing their pet suffer.
“When the first signs of parvovirus appeared in this area, we lost one pup from a local litter but the others thankfully came through it,” he said.
“Prevention is much easier than a cure and we offered a vaccine amnesty to encourage people to start up a course, which may have lapsed at a reduced price. We were also very keen to encourage people to get pups vaccinated and there was a very good response to that,” added Mr Durston.
“One of the problems is that if an owner doesn’t see any difference in their dog’s health from one week to the next, they might think that everything is fine but this can take a hold so quickly.
“Unfortunately, we have had another three cases of parvo in the past three weeks.
“Thankfully, two of the dogs are much better and the last one is now on the mend and should make a full recovery.”
He continued: “Our aim is to get the ‘pack immunity’ as high as possible, so it is really important that we continue to get the message out there and encourage dog owners to have their pups vaccinated, or ensure older dogs are up to date with their protection.
“We are continuing with the vaccination amnesty and would encourage owners to have their pets done as soon as possible.
“It’s a bit like measles in humans, whereby vaccinations levels drop, the disease gets into a population and causes a lot of misery.
“A high level of pack immunity is the best way to protect the population,” said Mr Durston.