Whangārei vets are telling dog owners to make sure their dogs are vaccinated due to a summer outbreak of parvovirus which has so far killed at least three dogs in one week.
Northland Veterinary Group
put out a community warning on its Facebook page about the deadly increase in parvo cases in Whangārei.
"Over the last couple of weeks we have seen several young dogs with parvo. It is a nasty virus with a poor outcome in most cases", the post said.
Parvovirus is incredibly contagious. It not only spreads through direct contact with infected dogs but also through contact with contaminated objects - including grass - and can last in environments for more than a year.
A Northland Veterinary Group spokesperson says they have seen at least three dogs die of parvovirus in one week in Whangārei.
Unvaccinated puppies that are 6 months or younger are the main victims of the disease, but any dog can catch and even spread the virus without apparent sickness.
"One of the vets said she's never had a fully vaccinated dog come in with parvovirus and she's been here for 20 years," the spokesperson said.
Vaccination to prevent parvovirus is available for puppies from when they are six weeks old and provides a very effective prevention against the virus.
SPCA Whangārei Centre manager Karla Aekins, says while parvovirus is a concern all year round, Northland's particularly warm start to the summer has increased cases.
"I think we're going to have a long summer, which means that parvo is going to be here the whole time, so there's definitely an increase at the moment and it's probably going to get worse."
Aekins believes some people don't vaccinate their dogs because of the cost and they aren't aware that vaccines can prevent future vet bills that are generally over $1000.