Dr Best told The Leader yesterday parvo had reached endemic proportions in the city.

“In the past five days we have treated a total of nine dogs and have been forced to euthanaise five dogs with the virus,” Dr Best said.

Dr Best said the most frustrating thing about the virus was that with simple vaccinations it could be prevented.

“Parvo can be prevented with a three in one vaccine once each year and costs $18 plus a vet consultation.

“The parvo vaccination is also available in a once-every-three-year dosage and costs $35 plus a vet consultation fee. It’s a small price to pay in comparison to what it costs to treat a dog with parvo,” he said.

Dr Best said treatment for parvo, if the virus could be treated at all, could cost anywhere between $300 and $1000.

It is expected the spread of the virus will only continue to get worse over the coming months.

“In the hot spring/summer weather the virus is more prominent and easily spread,” Dr Best said.

Parvo is a disease that affects the intestinal tract and causes vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and a decreased ability to fight infection.

It is so commonly found in the

environment most older dogs have become immune through vaccination or infection in early life.

In young dogs the virus has the potential to be fatal if not found early and treated.

Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite and fever between four and 14 days after exposure.

“Vomiting and blood-streaked diarrhoea develop with in one or two days and these signs can quickly progress to dehydration and death in severely affected dogs,” Dr Best said.