AN OUTBREAK of parvovirus has killed two puppies in the area – and vets are warning owners not to walk young dogs around Stoneleigh and Kenilworth.
There is understood to have been three confirmed cases of the illness – which causes vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss.
Vets are advising owners not to walk puppies around the area, with Stoneleigh Training Ground also closed due to the outbreak.
Last month cases were also confirmed in Shipston.
Both Emscote Vets and Avonvale Veterinary Centres urge owners to get puppies aged up to 12-months-old an additional vaccination against the disease and contact their practice for advice.
A spokeswoman from Emscote said: “There is currently an outbreak of parvovirus in the area, please be careful, avoid walking puppies around Stoneleigh and Kenilworth. We can’t be specific about the exact areas.”
And Avonvale says advice has been sought from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) – which gives global guidelines on vaccinations.
A spokesman from the practice said: “Parvovirus is an illness that can cause severe gastroenteritis and can even be fatal in extreme cases.
“If your dog has had their annual vaccination they will have been vaccinated against parvovirus and will have protection against the illness under normal circumstances.
“However, when faced with an increase in the number of cases locally the WSAVA recommend giving an additional dose of parvovirus vaccine to dogs between four and 12 months of age.
“While the vast majority of puppies will have protective immunity following their puppy injections, there will always be a very small minority for whom immunity is reduced.”
Call Emscote Vets on 01926 496422 or Avonvale on 01926 400255 for further details.
