It was a dogs day out at Lyrebird Park as hundreds of canines lined up for their booster shot on Wednesday.
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Nowra and district vet hospitals joined forces to run a parvovirus vaccination blitz, after a recent outbreak of the fatal disease in Nowra and surrounding areas.
Veterinary student Caitlin Chandler took part in the initiative to protect dogs against the virus.
“Today so far we’ve had three to four hundred people through the door,” she said.
It’s a very devastating disease which can cause severe illness and death in pups, so that’s why we are here today.
Apart from the South Coast, Wagga Wagga and Tamworth are two other areas in NSW which have experienced a spike in reports of the virus.
“It’s a very devastating disease which can cause severe illness and death in pups, so that’s why we are here today,” Ms Chandler said.
The pop-up clinic was designed to make vaccinations accessible to a range of dog owners, with the cost of the booster substantially reduced to a mere $20 per dog.
“In the two days that we have been organising this, we have spread the word about parvovirus,” Ms Chandler said.
“Today as we vaccinate the dogs we are telling their owners when they are next due to vaccinate and what signs of illness to keep an eye on.
“Owners should look out for vomiting, diarrhoea, any sign of illness or if your dog becomes flat and less energetic.”
Parvovirus is a severe and highly contagious disease in dogs which has a fatality rate of up to 80 per cent in juvenile dogs and puppies.
You can protect your dog from parvovirus by ensuring it is up-to-date with its vaccinations, as the virus is shed in faeces, and can survive in the environment for long periods of time, it would be best to keep puppies that are not fully vaccinated away from dog parks or public areas where other dogs might roam.
If your dog has contracted parvovirus, it is important to contact your vet immediately, isolate him or her from other animals in the household to prevent the spread of the disease and wash your hands and clothes after contact with them.