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9:59am Friday 15th August 2008
A VET has warned of an outbreak of a potentially lethal dog virus in south-east London.
Parkvets has recently dealt with a case of canine parvovirus at its veterinary clinic in Mottingham and another at its animal hospital in Sidcup.
One dog with the virus was taken to the company's Eltham clinic and another two were treated at its Belverdere branch.
Parkvets senior veterinary surgeon Dave Nichol says after a decade of working with animals he has never seen so many cases of the canine parvovirus in such a short space of time.
He said: "We would expect one or two cases a year but we have had five since July 31 and are awaiting results on other dogs.
"It is a real problem. Unvaccinated dogs have a 50-per-cent chance of dying from this.
"I think we could describe it as an outbreak and I have telephoned other vets in the area to tell them what is happening here.
"We have ordered in 100 extra doses of the vaccine. It can get a lot more serious because 50 per cent of dogs are unvaccinated against this type of virus."
The parvovirus brings on sickness and diarrhoea and dogs can die of dehydration if left untreated.
Mr Nichol, 32, added: "Younger, unvaccinated animals are particularly at risk and the virus can cost owners hundreds of pounds in vet's fees.
"It's contagious and can spread very quickly. Nurses in our clinics are using foot baths and full gowns to help stop it spreading."
Anyone who is worried about their dog's health can contact Parkvets on 020 8300 8111 or get in touch with their nearest animal clinic.
The RSPCA says the figures highlighted by Mr Nichol are above average and that the problem is made worse by people failing to vaccinate their animals.
A spokesman for the charity said: "This is a potentially lethal virus. Anyone looking for a dog should avoid buying animals from puppy farms where the virus can spread more easily."
local, swanley says...
12:01pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Jen, Bexleyheath says...
12:01pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Tracey, Orpington says...
12:13pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Local, swanley says...
12:43pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Dog Owner, Charlton says...
12:46pm Fri 15 Aug 08
come on, says...
12:57pm Fri 15 Aug 08
local, swanley says...
1:17pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Dog Owner wrote:Dog Owner, nothing in Tracey's post suggested she was a bad dog owner. She was asking a question.
To Tracey, Why have a dog if you can not give the dog the proper care it needs, your own fault if your dog get the virus..............
Sammi, Eltham says...
1:32pm Fri 15 Aug 08
local, swanley says...
1:32pm Fri 15 Aug 08
John, Local says...
2:18pm Fri 15 Aug 08
BOB, ERITH says...
2:39pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Claire, Lee, London says...
2:58pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Charlie, Bromley says...
3:06pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Claire wrote:"Normal disinfectants cannot wholey kill the bacteria!!!"
To all who haven't vaccinated - So as puppies were your dogs never vaccinated?? The majority of dogs that contract Parvovirus are under the age of 5. Parvovirus is a deadly disease and once contracted is very contagous to other dogs it can take up to 7 months for your home environment to become free from the virus. Normal disinfectants cannot wholey kill the bacteria!!! For those who cannot afford the injection I think is a terrible excuse. Get some insurance or if you can't afford it or the vaccination then DONT GET A DOG! Dogs are a massive responsibility. Parvovirus is passed through dog faeces. How many of you pick up your dog poo?? I would imagine only ½ of the people here who have posted. How many of you walk your dogs on a daily basis where they come in to contact with other dogs faeces which are left in the park and public places around this country?? The majority I would suggest and that is where it can all stem from. Please vaccinate your dogs its far cheaper than having a hefty vet bill because your dog is seriously ill.
Tracey, Orpington. says...
3:11pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Nick, London says...
3:14pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Tracey wrote:Tracey. If you cannot afford to look after your dog properly then you should not have one. I personally think you have done wrong. I have 2 dogs. They have their injections every year. They are both speyed and they have Frontline every month too. They are also insured at a cost of £40 a month. It is very expensive but I think that if you have a pet then you have a responsibility to look after it properly.
To Me-I havent had my 2 year old staff vaccinated,but I have just had her speyed. Choose was injection to stop any bugs she might get or speyed to stop more unwanted pups. Have I done wrong? Am I a bad owner? O she has been to a vet about a sore foot,so am I still a bad owner for not getting the injections?? Think before you type. Also do you have a pet Me??
Claire, Lee, location says...
3:27pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Charlie wrote:I do not appreciate your answer however you are entitled to your own opinion!
Claire wrote: To all who haven't vaccinated - So as puppies were your dogs never vaccinated?? The majority of dogs that contract Parvovirus are under the age of 5. Parvovirus is a deadly disease and once contracted is very contagous to other dogs it can take up to 7 months for your home environment to become free from the virus. Normal disinfectants cannot wholey kill the bacteria!!! For those who cannot afford the injection I think is a terrible excuse. Get some insurance or if you can't afford it or the vaccination then DONT GET A DOG! Dogs are a massive responsibility. Parvovirus is passed through dog faeces. How many of you pick up your dog poo?? I would imagine only ½ of the people here who have posted. How many of you walk your dogs on a daily basis where they come in to contact with other dogs faeces which are left in the park and public places around this country?? The majority I would suggest and that is where it can all stem from. Please vaccinate your dogs its far cheaper than having a hefty vet bill because your dog is seriously ill."Normal disinfectants cannot wholey kill the bacteria!!!" Its a virus (clue in the name) not a bacteria. FAIL!
Claire, Lee, London says...
3:44pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Nick wrote:Nick I agree wholeheartledly with everything you say!! I too have 1 dog and it is vaccinated, wormed, frontlined and due for spey in the next few weeks. She is also insured costing £25/month. If you can't afford to do these things then I'm afraid in my opinion you should not have a dog.
Tracey wrote: To Me-I havent had my 2 year old staff vaccinated,but I have just had her speyed. Choose was injection to stop any bugs she might get or speyed to stop more unwanted pups. Have I done wrong? Am I a bad owner? O she has been to a vet about a sore foot,so am I still a bad owner for not getting the injections?? Think before you type. Also do you have a pet Me??Tracey. If you cannot afford to look after your dog properly then you should not have one. I personally think you have done wrong. I have 2 dogs. They have their injections every year. They are both speyed and they have Frontline every month too. They are also insured at a cost of £40 a month. It is very expensive but I think that if you have a pet then you have a responsibility to look after it properly.
local, Swanley says...
3:46pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Tracey wrote:Tracey, there is a pdsa at Thamemead and another in Croydon. Also contact the staffordshire breed rescue as hy amy be able to help. Well done for rescuing your dog.
To all it concerns. I rescued my dog a year ago,she was breed to be a fighting dog,we took her in.So I dont pay for the vaccinations for her,that is my choice,but they are soo expensive. The nearest charity organisation is in Lewisham. I cant get her there. Most buses wont take staffs,cant afford a cab and no family to help. So she goes without her injections. But she doesnt roam the streets to be near enough to other animals to catch anything. I paid £100 to have her speyed. So am I wrong to do that? There will be no unwanted pups from here to be used for violence like she would of been. You can say what you like about how I care for her. She is well fed,walked every day and has all the love in the world in my home.
Charlie, Bromley says...
3:49pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Claire wrote:Wrong - no "bacteria from virus" can exists - that is impossible.
Charlie wrote:I do not appreciate your answer however you are entitled to your own opinion!
Claire wrote: To all who haven't vaccinated - So as puppies were your dogs never vaccinated?? The majority of dogs that contract Parvovirus are under the age of 5. Parvovirus is a deadly disease and once contracted is very contagous to other dogs it can take up to 7 months for your home environment to become free from the virus. Normal disinfectants cannot wholey kill the bacteria!!! For those who cannot afford the injection I think is a terrible excuse. Get some insurance or if you can't afford it or the vaccination then DONT GET A DOG! Dogs are a massive responsibility. Parvovirus is passed through dog faeces. How many of you pick up your dog poo?? I would imagine only ½ of the people here who have posted. How many of you walk your dogs on a daily basis where they come in to contact with other dogs faeces which are left in the park and public places around this country?? The majority I would suggest and that is where it can all stem from. Please vaccinate your dogs its far cheaper than having a hefty vet bill because your dog is seriously ill."Normal disinfectants cannot wholey kill the bacteria!!!" Its a virus (clue in the name) not a bacteria. FAIL!
However there are still bacteria from the virus passed via dog feaces which can still be evident on your dogs coat. If you read up on the virus you would know that canine parvovirus comes in 2 strains and can even be transmitted via surfaces like floors, bedding even your dogs coat
e.t.c!!!!
Tracey, Orpington says...
3:55pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Nick wrote:Well done to you,so what you are saying,is that I shouldnt have my dog,and that I should of left her with the man that wanted to fight her??? Good on you...
Tracey wrote: To Me-I havent had my 2 year old staff vaccinated,but I have just had her speyed. Choose was injection to stop any bugs she might get or speyed to stop more unwanted pups. Have I done wrong? Am I a bad owner? O she has been to a vet about a sore foot,so am I still a bad owner for not getting the injections?? Think before you type. Also do you have a pet Me??Tracey. If you cannot afford to look after your dog properly then you should not have one. I personally think you have done wrong. I have 2 dogs. They have their injections every year. They are both speyed and they have Frontline every month too. They are also insured at a cost of £40 a month. It is very expensive but I think that if you have a pet then you have a responsibility to look after it properly.
Tracey, Orpington says...
3:57pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Claire, says...
4:00pm Fri 15 Aug 08
dee, at my desk says...
4:42pm Fri 15 Aug 08
come on wrote:Then why not take out an insurance policy for your pet, you can find monthly payments from as little as £4 a month for a basic policy which would cover unexpected costs some will even offer the immunisations as they see it as a preventative measure, afterall its preferable to pay £30 for necessary prevention then to pay the £300+ vet fees when and if your pet gets ill.
if vets didnt charge the bl*ody earth maybe we could get our pets the vacinations they need, . you have the pdsa but you have to be below a certain wage to qualify using them. these days £20k a year isnt much not when you consider what you pay out.
Susie, Bexley says...
4:56pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Charlie, Bromley says...
6:11pm Fri 15 Aug 08
Claire wrote:I never said they don't contain bacteria.
There are places like the PDSA who can help you with this sort of thing.
For the bacteria guy. So dog feaces doesn\'t contain bacteria?? Hmmm The virus is passed through the feaces read this: http://www.marvistav
et.com/html/what_is_
parvo.html
Pete Beat, kent says...
7:34pm Fri 15 Aug 08
simon, erith says...
8:17pm Fri 15 Aug 08
L, says...
8:52pm Fri 15 Aug 08
local, swanley says...
9:12pm Fri 15 Aug 08
dee wrote:Insurance does not cover parvo jabs - they are included in with the usual jabs that are also not covered.
come on wrote: if vets didnt charge the bl*ody earth maybe we could get our pets the vacinations they need, . you have the pdsa but you have to be below a certain wage to qualify using them. these days £20k a year isnt much not when you consider what you pay out.Then why not take out an insurance policy for your pet, you can find monthly payments from as little as £4 a month for a basic policy which would cover unexpected costs some will even offer the immunisations as they see it as a preventative measure, afterall its preferable to pay £30 for necessary prevention then to pay the £300+ vet fees when and if your pet gets ill.
Jack Russell, Barking says...
9:47pm Fri 15 Aug 08
j, thamesmead says...
9:49pm Fri 15 Aug 08
SG, Bromley says...
10:08pm Fri 15 Aug 08
local, swanley says...
10:22pm Fri 15 Aug 08
SG wrote:Only idiots will panic but it'll be enough to pay for another set of wheels on the vet's porsche.
Oh dear, I bet there are a lot of worried women in South East London. Get your injections in ladies!
James, Agog at the too stupid to breathe says...
11:31pm Fri 15 Aug 08
come on wrote:If you can't afford to pay for the very best care for your pet then don't get one.
if vets didnt charge the bl*ody earth maybe we could get our pets the vacinations they need, . you have the pdsa but you have to be below a certain wage to qualify using them. these days £20k a year isnt much not when you consider what you pay out.
name, location says...
12:04am Sat 16 Aug 08
Local, swanley says...
12:15am Sat 16 Aug 08
C, Grove Park says...
9:33am Sat 16 Aug 08
Tracey, Orpington says...
11:07am Sat 16 Aug 08
Egbert, Woolwich says...
12:58pm Sat 16 Aug 08
kelly pritchard, sidcup says...
9:33pm Sat 16 Aug 08
Nick, London says...
10:11pm Sat 16 Aug 08
Tracey wrote:No you shouldn't have left the dog with the man that wanted to fight him/her. You should have reported him to the RSPCA.
Ooops,did forget,I have had pets for roughly 20 years. Never had any of the cats or dogs vaccinated,they have never been ill and they have lived to a very good age.
local, Swnley says...
10:35pm Sat 16 Aug 08
kelly pritchard wrote:Kelly, I am sorry to hear about your dog. I was the person who posted the comment and I telephoned around and checked my facts before posting - that does not make me a skeptic it makes me a realist. I am a dog owner, breeder of long standing so know what I am saying.I have checked canine forums and the internet there is no major outbreak as intimated by the article - thank goodness!
Dog owners please please take this parvo outbreak seriously. My 7 month old pug (who HAS been vaccinated) has caught parvo and has been desperately ill and at death's door. He was one of the puppies being treated at Park Vets. One skeptic above says that the so called outbreak only relates to Parkvets;hence suggesting it is a marketing excercise. That is rubbish. I know first hand that as at today (Sat 16 aug) Parkvets in Sidcup alone has 5 parvo cases with dogs in isolation on drips and fighting for their lives. If you add the cases from their other branches we are into double figures. I also know of other vets in the area facing the same problem. There IS an outbreak. YOUR dog is at risk. The survival rate for a parvo infected dog is just 50%. You can all bleat on about not being able to afford vaccinations but without a vaccination it is highly likely your pup will die from parvo. if you cannot afford to give your pup basic protection against disease by having the injections please don't get a dog. i am one of the lucky ones. i got my pup home yesterday - he is traumatized but still alive. If he had not had the vaccination he would have been dead. Fact. The vaccination does not guarantee your pup will not contract parvo but it will give him a decent chance at fighting the deadly disease. I also understand from the vet and vaccine company that it is due to the high number of unvaccinated dogs that the parvo infection rate is so high. That, in turn, is compromising the effectiveness of the vaccine in exactly the same way as the MMR problem we now see with children. Don't be selfish. If you cannot afford vaccinations. DO NOT GET A DOG!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for listening and please, if you love your dog, vaccinate him and keep him away from other dog's faeces and bums during this risky time.
Ellie, says...
11:52pm Sat 16 Aug 08
Ilovemydogs, dartford says...
2:59pm Sun 17 Aug 08
adam, sidcup says...
6:44pm Sun 17 Aug 08
local, Swanley says...
8:53pm Sun 17 Aug 08
Ellie wrote:Not that its any of your business but I am a proper breeder, I only have a litter when I want a puppy, my puppies go to good pet or show homes and are very much loved - all homes are vetted. In over 34 years I have never had a problem with my dogs or owners and none have ended up in rescue. All my dogs are health checked and reared correctly. I am a breed expert and judge. I have served on canine committees and worked for rescue. My dogs are bred to the breed standard and have been winners at Crufts.
To local from swanley Why are you breeding puppies ? Dont you think there are enough unwanted dogs without you adding to the problem ?
Ellie, says...
10:59pm Sun 17 Aug 08
local wrote:What a nasty person you are...there was no need for your last comment!
Ellie wrote: To local from swanley Why are you breeding puppies ? Dont you think there are enough unwanted dogs without you adding to the problem ?Not that its any of your business but I am a proper breeder, I only have a litter when I want a puppy, my puppies go to good pet or show homes and are very much loved - all homes are vetted. In over 34 years I have never had a problem with my dogs or owners and none have ended up in rescue. All my dogs are health checked and reared correctly. I am a breed expert and judge. I have served on canine committees and worked for rescue. My dogs are bred to the breed standard and have been winners at Crufts. So whats your point? MY dogs have better pedigrees than your children - what's their health record like and are you a good parent?
Local, Swanley says...
11:57pm Sun 17 Aug 08
Me, says...
10:56am Fri 15 Aug 08
Alot of people buy a pet and it never see's a vet.
Parvo is a very nasty thing and Dogs suffer greatly and have a terrible death