Parvovirus remains a major threat to dogs, with Wagga veterinarian Sarah Bloomfield warning it can be still fatal. Dr Bloomfield, from Lake Road Veterinary Clinic, said she was aware of at least five dogs that had died of the illness in the past week. “Parvovirus is a virus that attacks the intestines. What it actually does is attacks the enterocytes, and literally sheds the intestines and that’s when you get the bloody diarrhea that dogs are presenting with. Their intestines are actually shedding from the inside,” she said. “It makes it impossible for them to absorb any nutrients from the food they are eating. Without those enterocytes they’re unable to absorb any of it. So then they get lethargy, they’re weak, almost collapsing on the ground in front of us, and they can present with vomiting as well. “We have had five fatalities this week.” Dr Bloomfield said while parvovirus was treatable, the preferred option was vaccination. “It is treatable, but it is very intensive management. They will stay with us for about a week and we give them everything they need, but they still can go downhill and may need blood transfusions. It’s an extremely serious disease.” Dr Bloomfield said puppies were able to have their first vaccination between the ages of six and eight weeks. “We advise not to let dogs out into the environment until two weeks after their second vaccination,” she said. “Then, they can start socialising in controlled environments, so that means areas you know are not a high risk of parvovirus. So the dog parks, lakes are not ideal situations, but at home in their own yard if you know there hasn’t been parvo should be OK. “Dogs can pass parvo from dog to dog, but it can also be in faeces. So you might have your dog in the backyard, but the next door neighbour has unfortunately not vaccinated, the flies can pick the virus up and move it into your backyard. “Sale yards, where there is a lot of faeces around, can be a risk. Working dogs are at risk if they are not vaccinated, and that can affect someone’s livelihood.” Dr Bloomfield said after the initial series of vaccinations, dogs needed an annual booster to remain protected against parvovirus. “Any dog of any age can get parvovirus, including those who were vaccinated, but not kept up to date,” she said.