Parvovirus confirmed

Vets at Arrowfield Veterinary Practice in Kington are warning local dog owners to take care and ensure their dogs have proper vaccine protection.

A young terrier was left fighting for its life after contracting Parvovirus, a potentially fatal viral infection. The dog, which had recently been re-homed to Kington from the Whitecross area of Hereford was taken to Arrowfield Vets after her new owners became concerned.

Vet, Paul Buckingham said the dog was vomiting frequently, with diarrhoea and was deteriorating rapidly.

He placed her in isolation immediately while test results were sent away.

"Intensive fluid therapy and supportive medications over the following week fortunately led to a complete recovery and a bouncing happy dog was given back to her owner. She will remain in isolation at home until all risk of cross infection has passed," he said.

"It was no surprise but nonetheless disappointing for all when results, confirmed by an external laboratory, proved positive for Canine Parvovirus. The virus is highly infectious virus and can remain in the environment for many weeks. It is most likely that infection in this case was picked up in Hereford but the dog was exercised in the Greenfields and Crooked Well areas of Kington whilst incubating the disease."

Mr Buckingham said all dog owners living in Kington and Hereford should ensure their dogs were properly vaccinated and should seek veterinary attention quickly if their dogs became unwell.

"It is only by prompt and appropriate treatment that dogs contracting Parvovirus can be given a chance of survival. If in any doubt please contact your vet."