Deadly dog disease outbreak fear

A killer pet bug is feared to be affecting dogs in a Black Country town after one died and another was left seriously ill.

Vets are worried that more pets could now be hit by the parvovirus disease which is highly contagious and often fatal. Both dogs lived in Willenhall and contracted the deadly disease which proves a killer in around 50 per cent of cases. They were taken to the Lockwood Animal Hospital in Lower Lichfield Street for treatment inside the last two weeks.

Pet owners are now being urged to ensure their animals are properly vaccinated following concerns more pets will be affected.

The Lockwood Veterinary Group also has bases in Coseley, Blackheath and Brierley Hill but they are its only confirmed illnesses so far.

A Yorkshire terrier could not be saved while a cross-breed has been undergoing intensive care to fight off the virus.

Senior veterinary sur-geon Beth O'Neill said: "There have been two cases in two weeks and it is quite frightening.

"It is very contagious and can spreads very quickly. In a lot of cases it is fatal, especially in younger dogs which are not so strong. We are worried this may be the start of an outbreak.

"We are concerned people may not be keeping up to date with their pets vaccinations which puts them at risk.

"Pet owners need to check and make sure they are vaccinated and the sooner the better as the disease really can spread like wildfire."

Symptoms of parvovirus include extreme diarrhoea and vomiting but it does not affect humans.

It can be spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their faeces. Foxes also can also carry the infection.

Dogs that are affected usually require at least two weeks of intensive treatment to survive from parvovirus which causes dehydration.

This includes being on a drip and taking some form of antibiotics.