Dog guardians need to be very concerned about the current parvovirus outbreak in the Lakes District. Parvovirus is a deadly disease that affects dogs. It attacks the cells in their intestines and makes them very sick.

Parvovirus causes diarrhea (often with blood in it), vomiting, loss of appetite and fever. Your dog cannot properly absorb water or nutrients. This can lead to severe dehydration and death. It is so serious because the only thing the vet can do is keep the dog hydrated and give it a chance to build up its ability to fight the virus (it is not the kind of disease that can be fixed with antibiotics).

Your dog can easily spread it to other dogs. The virus can be infectious for months where your dog has pooped or thrown up. People cannot get parvovirus but can accidentally spread it if they are not careful with these fluids.

It most often affects puppies but also UNVACCINATED dogs. Getting your dog vaccinated as a pup and then making sure they get their boosters is how you keep them safe.

The parvovirus vaccine is just one component of the vaccine 鈥渟hots鈥� your dog gets 鈥� which also protect against other nasties such as distemper. It also prevents outbreaks that put other dogs at risk. You want to keep those trips to the MacEwen Dog Park fun and worry free for you and the rest of our community!

Don鈥檛 delay, get your dog vaccinated today 鈥� call the 亚洲天堂 Lake Vet Clinic at (250) 692-7476. You can also try our other veterinary friends at Bulkley River Vet Services in Houston (778) 642-3456 or Vet to Pet Mobile in Smithers (778) 210-1883.

If you think your dog may have parvovirus, keep them away from other dogs and call the vet clinic. Dogs need to be treated quickly to have the best chance of surviving this horrible disease.

Alistair Schroff is with Increased ACCESS (formerly Lakes Animal Friendship Society).