Parvovirus cases rise in Okotoks and South Calgary, warns vet

One Albertaveterinary clinic iswarning of a highly contagious and potentially fatal virus infecting dogs in thesouth part of Calgary and Okotoks.

The Elizabeth Street Pet Hospital in Okotoks has seen a jump in the number of cases with puppies infected withcanine parvovirus.

The illnessistransmitted through infected feces and often comes with nasty symptoms for dogs, according toveterinarian Amber Hutchinson.

"These puppies end up getting vomiting and diarrhea. Oftentimes they have blood in their stools, so they will be losing blood and fluid," Hutchinson said.

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"They often will get very dehydrated, and they can present with sepsis."

Hutchinson saidit's important for dogs to beproperly vaccinated against parvovirus when they're young.

"Some puppies are being exposed in between those vaccinesand before they're fully vaccinated, or they haven't been vaccinated at all, so that's a big concern," she said.

There is no cure for the virus, and treatment to resolve symptoms is extensive and can be quite expensive for pet owners, Hutchinson added.

Older dogs that haven't been vaccinated for more than three years are also at risk.