AN OUTBREAK of a deadly dog virus has killed three puppies in three days in the Darlington area, a veterinary practice is warning.

Westway Vets in Yarm Road, Darlington, has been dealing with a spate of parvovirus cases in recent months, including a full litter of puppies that died just before Christmas.

And Darlington is a particular hotspot for the deadly virus, they warned.

Now the practice is urging owners to vaccinate their dogs to prevent the spread of the disease.

Symptoms of parvo include foul-smelling diarrhoea with blood in it, vomiting, loss of appetite and lethargy, leading to severe dehydration.

Young puppies and unvaccinated dogs, including those that have not had their booster injections, are most at risk.

In the most recent cases in the final week of January, a cocker spaniel puppy and two cross-breed puppies had to be put to sleep in the space of three days.

They were brought to the surgery after showing symptoms of parvo, but it was too late to save them.

Westway Vets Clinical Director Caroline Scobie said the death of a puppy through parvo was devastating for owners and veterinary teams that battle round the clock to save them.

Dr Scobie said: “Seeing a puppy die from parvo is one of the most heart-breaking things that can happen when you know it could have been prevented very easily through vaccination.

“If owners suspect their puppy or dog could have parvo, contact your vet immediately as early intervention is essential because the fatality rate without treatment is very high. However, prevention is far better and vaccinating offers the best protection.

“Darlington is proving a hot spot for parvo and the three puppies we saw most recently were not vaccinated as the breeder had told the owners.”

Puppies should be vaccinated against parvo at eight-weeks-old, 12 weeks and 16 weeks as this is the age when they are most at risk. All dogs should have annual health checks and boosters.

Dr Scobie added: “Parvovirus lives in the environment and is shared in the faeces of dogs. Unvaccinated dogs can spread the disease or owners can spread it by bringing the virus into the house on their shoes. Puppies are most at risk between eight and 16 weeks.”