Pet owners warned after parvo infects Harrogate dogs

The Canine parvo virus is a highly infectious disease that can be passed to other dogs before clinical symptoms are present and sadly, often leads to death.

Cases of the illness have been dealt with at three or more vets practices in Harrogate and vets are now urging pet owners to check that their dog is vaccinated.

Kenneth Alexander from Bull and Alexander Vetinary Clinic on East Park Road said: “I am aware of a few cases of it, it is worrying. It would be very sensible to make sure that your pets vaccinatiosn are up to date.

“It tends to affect younger dogs more than adults.”

Symptoms of the illness include depression, vomiting and diarrhea and can kill dogs. Puppies and young dogs are most likely to be affected by the bug which is passed from contact with dogs faeces.

Michaela Stothard, owner of Posh Paws on Leeds Road said lots of Harrogate pet owners are very worried.

“People are even keeping their dogs indoors to try and protect them and keep them away from other dogs. People love their dogs, they are a part of the family so people are really worried about it all.”

Leigh-Anne Brown from Vets4Pets said: “We saw a case last week and it was very tragic, he was vaccinated but it didn’t take which is very very rare. Vets can offer a blood test to see if the vaccine has taken or in some cases an extra vaccine for adolescent dogs.”