Veterinarians are sounding the alarm about the serious consequences of not vaccinating dogs and cats against Parvovirus after reports a dog in Montreal died. “It’s very deadly,” said Gabrielle Carriere, head veterinarian at the Montreal SPCA. “More than half of dogs that get sick, if they have no immunity, will die if they get no treatment.” Parvovirus attacks the immune and digestive systems. It is common in Montreal, according to Carriere, but an effective vaccine does exist and is part of the basic vaccine schedule recommended to pet owners. For unvaccinated animals, she said, it is easily spread. “It’s in the feces. If an infected dog walks around, it can leave viral particles in the environment,” Carriere said. “It’s on the floor, it’s outside, it’s everywhere.” So far this year, the SPCA has not seen any cases in dogs, but has already treated 16 cats for the virus. “The parvovirus that infects dogs can be transmitted to cats, but the one that cats get cannot be transmitted to dogs.” For Carriere, the fact a dog has died in Montreal does not necessarily mean there is more of the virus going around. “We don’t know,” she said. The virus is not new and can live in the environment for up to a year. “Speak to your vet,” she said. “Have your vaccinations up-to-date and your animals should be fine.”
