Warm days between wet weather and pets not being vaccinated has contributed to a surge in a deadly but preventable canine disease.
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Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital is just one clinic that has seen an increase in parvovirus cases among young dogs and puppies in recent weeks.
Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital vet nurse Jenna McAtamney said parvovirus is often fatal and hospital treatment can take an average of five days.
"We often give puppies a 50/50 survival rate and that's with intensive treatment," she said.
Mrs McAtamney said the virus causes gastrointestinal problems with vomiting and diarrhea, often with blood in the diarrhea, and it is very painful for the animal.
"It's so contagious but also entirely preventable," Mrs McAtamney said.
"Young puppies are really vulnerable to it.
"They are not fully protected from it until they have had their full course of vaccinations.
"They shouldn't go on walks in parks or even on the street until they've had all three vaccinations."
She said the increased cases were noticed in the past six to eight weeks but it is usually most common in spring and early summer.
"It can live in the soil for a really long time, it can live on clothing and shoes too," Mrs McAtamney said.
"It's such a hardy virus which is why it's so nasty and so contagious."
The increase of parvovirus cases has been seen across the Central West with a Dubbo vet recently seeing up to 10 cases a week.
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