Staffordshire dog owners warned of parvovirus outbreak

Dog owners are being warned about a sudden rise in the number of cases of a potentially fatal disease in Stoke-on-Trent.

Vets at the city's PDSA base in Club Street said they are seeing up to five cases a day of suspected canine parvovirus, compared to the "normal" rate of just one a week.

Symptoms include severe vomiting and diarrhoea and the disease is very contagious, the PDSA said.

Owners are urged to use vaccinations.

'Serious outbreak'

The virus is passed from dog to dog and can be contracted by contaminated dog faecal matter.

Duncan Senior, senior veterinary surgeon, said: "Parvovirus is a severe, highly infectious disease that can often be fatal, particularly in puppies.

"We saw a surge of cases two months ago, but this seemed to be tapering off.

"However in the last week we have been inundated. This is indicates a serious outbreak, and sadly there have been several fatalities.

"I would urge all owners to make sure their pets' vaccinations are up to date."