“We urge anyone in the area whose dog or puppy has these symptoms to seek veterinary help immediately.”
Pet owners in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside are being alerted to an outbreak of a potentially deadly canine virus.
According to the BC SPCA, three puppies have died from parvovirus.
The puppies were cared for in a building near Dunlevy Avenue and Powell Street and the fourth puppy is receiving intensive veterinary care.
Mark Vosper, the SPCA of BC’s regional animal protection manager for the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, warns that parvovirus is a highly contagious and often fatal virus that primarily affects dogs.
“One of our animal protection officers was called on Friday about four sick and dying puppies, and it was confirmed that the puppies had parvovirus,” he says.
Pet owners should watch for signs of parvovirus, including lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and bloating, fever or low body temperature, vomiting and severe diarrhea, often with blood.
Since the outbreak, BC SPCA acted immediately and offered a free vaccination clinic to people in the building.
“Dr. Hannah Weitzenfeld set up a free vaccination clinic in the building to make sure other dogs and puppies who may have come into contact with the sick puppies get a parvo vaccine as soon as possible,” says Vosper .
A total of 18 dogs, which were all dogs in the building where the parvo outbreak occurred, were vaccinated on Monday.
“We urge anyone in the area whose dog or puppy has these symptoms to seek veterinary help immediately,” says Vosper.
Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can lead to rapid dehydration and damage to the intestines and immune system leading to septic shock in animals.