A parvovirus outbreak in Prince Edward Island has prompted veterinarians to urge people to vaccinate their pets.

According to the CBC, the virus recently appeared in a litter of puppies, some of which have reportedly died.

The contagious virus spreads from dog to dog through direct or indirect contact. It poses particular danger to unvaccinated puppies. Their immature immune systems can become overwhelmed, causing the dog to become septic.

“The easiest way to explain it is that it attacks quickly dividing cells, and some examples of that are all of your white blood cells in your bone marrow, as well as other immune cells in other types of immune tissues like your lymph nodes,” Marti Hopson, an adjunct faculty member in companion animals at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) in Charlottetown, told CBC.

Veterinarians said pet owners should visit a clinic if their puppy develops diarrhea or appears lethargic.

Outbreaks in P.E.I. are rare due to herd immunity, according to Dr. Hopson.

Hopson adds that socialization is important for young dogs; however, pet owners should also make sure the animals their pets encounter are vaccinated.
The recent outbreak offers an opportunity for veterinarians to further educate clients about preventative measures.