Dog owners should watch out for extreme lethargy

A LEADING animal hospital has warned dog owners to be wary of a highly contagious virus after four cases have been seen in young pups over the past week.

Veterinarians at the Royal Veterinary College’s (RVC) Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital in Royal College Street have become aware of four separate cases of parvovirus in young dogs in the Tufnell Park and Kentish Town areas over the past week.

Parvovirus is highly contagious and can be life-threatening, particularly for dogs under 12 months of age.

More cases are expected in the area and owners are being encouraged to be diligent in monitoring any changes to their dog’s health and ensuring their general vaccinations and boosters are up to date.

Dogs that are not up to date with their vaccinations should be vaccinated as soon as possible and should avoid areas where other dogs are exercised until the vaccines have been administered.

Vets have warned the virus is spread through faeces and can survive on pavements, soil and other surfaces for many months.

Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea (often bloody), lethargy and poor appetite.

The RVC has said that any dogs showing these symptoms should be taken to their usual veterinary practice for immediate attention and affected dogs should be isolated from others during the treatment period to prevent spread.

The Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital has a dedicated isolation facility with a separate external entrance so that affected dogs can be cared for without risk to dogs attending the hospital for other reasons.