Wyndham council has warned pet owners to ensure their dogs are vaccinated after a case of parvovirus was detected in the area.
Officers from the council’s Animal Management Team recently found an adult dog, showing symptoms of parvovirus, in Werribee.
Canine parvovirus usually attacks a dog’s gastrointestinal tract and can result in symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
It can be spread when a dog comes into contact with contaminated faeces or soil.
Vets recommend puppies be vaccinated against the virus at six to eight weeks old, followed by a second vaccination at 12-14 weeks and then an annual booster shot.
The council’s director of city operations, Stephen Thorpe, said the dog found in Werribee was taken to the Wyndham City Pound and had since tested positive to parvovirus.
But Mr Thorpe said there was no need for other dog owners to panic.
“Several dogs have been tested, but this is the only case of parvovirus that has been detected in Wyndham,” Mr Thorpe said.
“The affected dog received immediate medical treatment and is now making a steady recovery.”
He said that the Wyndham City Pound had “very stringent hygiene practices” and had quarantined the cage the dog was held in, as a precaution.
“Every time an animal leaves the facility each cage is sanitised, helping to limit the spread of any viruses,” Mr Thorpe said.
“Every responsible pet owner should vaccinate their pets as it helps to safe guard them against a range of diseases and viruses.”
