Nasty canine disease found in stray Saskatoon puppies: SPCA

The Saskatoon SPCA is warning dog owners to be careful with their canines after recent cases of a potentially fatal disease has shown up in the city.

Executive Director Patricia Cameron told 650 CKOM parvovirus has appeared in four stray dogs that have been taken in by the SPCA recently.

Parvovirus is a highly contagious canine disease, with symptoms including lethargy, loss of appetite, vomit and bloody diarrhea.

It can be treated with medical care and has a survival rate of 70 per cent.

But it’s a painful ailment for dogs, Cameron said.

“Obviously avoiding the disease is very important,” she said.

Cameron said dogs with parvovirus shed the contagion into the environment as they travel around. The stray puppies found with the disease at the SPCA were quarantined to protect other animals.

“You can track it into your home,” she said. “Dog parks, natural areas, all of that kind of thing can be a source of the parvovirus.”

Cameron recommends owners ensure their dog’s vaccinations are up to date, including defences against the parvovirus.

She’s also warning people to ensure new puppies have all of their vaccinations before being taken into the public.

“Puppies, in particular, are very susceptible to this very painful and potentially lethal disease,” Cameron said. “If you have a pet, and you love that pet, keeping all its vaccines up to date is really important.”