Animal owners are urged to take caution after several cases of the parvo virus was reported in Brackenfell and Bellville.
A local veterinary clinic today (19 December) confirmed these cases.
According to a local veterinarian parvo is mostly seasonal this time of the year.
“It lives in the intestinal stools of the of infected dogs and can live up to one year in the area,” he said.
The virus is highly contagious to other dogs and young and older vaccinated dogs can be affected, especially those with weaker immune systems.
It can be fatal for unvaccinated puppies.
According to the Veterinary Council of South Africa, symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting and bloody and dark watery stools. “ If animal owners see any of these symptoms in their dogs, please seek immediate veterinary assistance,” the council advises.
Parvo tests is done by taking an anal swab at the vet and if positive the dog is placed in immediate isolation.
Sometimes there can be a “false” negative test before it shows up as positive.
It is advised to keep affected dogs indoors away from parks and streets for at least two weeks while they are shedding the virus.
