Three dogs have died and one is in intensive care, the charity said Monday in a statement. Parvovirus or parvovirus mainly affects puppies and unvaccinated adult dogs. It is transmitted between animals through contact with faeces. The virus attacks the gastrointestinal system of dogs and can damage the heart muscle. It can live in the environment for several months or longer. “It could be contact with feces through walking your dog in parks or streets or two dogs meeting and the virus has passed from one to the other,” said Mark Vosper, regional director of animal protection services in the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley. . Vosper says it’s up to the owner to get their dog up for annual vaccinations. “Puppies should be vaccinated straight away and keep up with a series of vaccinations that your vet can advise, as well as annual boosters.” “If puppies don’t have the antibodies and if they or their parent hasn’t been vaccinated, then they can get parvovirus very easily,” Vosper said. If a dog contracts the virus, the SPCA advises the owner to seek veterinary treatment as soon as possible. Symptoms of parvovirus include lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and bloating, fever or low body temperature (hypothermia), vomiting and severe diarrhea. “It can be extremely foul-smelling, and there can be some blood in the diarrhea,” Vosper said. The BC SPCA says doctors, other volunteer vets and volunteers administer the shots and make sure residents understand the symptoms to look out for at the clinic. Vosper says low-income owners can also seek support from the BC SPCA, a veterinarian or local charities.
