You may be aware that there has been a recent increase in the number of parvovirus cases reported locally. Parvovirus is an illness that can cause severe gastroenteritis and can even be fatal in extreme cases.
If your dog has had their annual vaccination they will have been vaccinated against parvovirus and will have protection against the illness under normal circumstances. However, when faced with an increase in the number of cases locally the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) recommend giving an additional dose of parvovirus vaccine to dogs between 4 and 12 months of age. Whilst the vast majority of puppies will have protective immunity following their puppy vaccinations, there will always be a very small minority for whom immunity is reduced. This is because Maternally Derived Antibodies from the puppy’s own mother can prevent a full immune response to a vaccine in a very small number of puppies. The additional parvovirus vaccination from 16 weeks of age will give greater assurance of protection for all dogs.
If you would like your puppy to have this additional vaccine please contact your local Avonvale surgery for details.
