Leanne McGorum lives at Sky’s Caravan Park on High Rd and said she knew of several dogs that had died due to parvo in the past three weeks, including her son’s dog Clover and a Rottweiler puppy which visited the park with its Kilmore owner.
“My son’s eight-month-old puppy was euthanised on Monday (June 21),” Ms McGorum said.
“I’ve become very vocal about parvo because I want to make sure everyone knows and warn people so they don’t go through what my son went through.”
Ms McGorum said people initially didn’t believe her reports of parvo in Murchison until she produced the vet bill.
She said the outbreak began when two dogs in the caravan park had litters.
Several puppies were taken to Seymour and came back with parvovirus.
“There were 11 puppies and they are all dead,” Ms McGorum said.
“Another resident who lives down the back spent $4000 on his dog at a Melbourne vet to save it.
“My son’s puppy was living here and it died, the mother and father dog got sick — this is all within two weeks.”
Ms McGorum said the parents of the litters had been reported to council previously over dangerous behaviour, such as attacking other dogs and people in the park and running unsecured before they had the litters.
Parvovirus is highly contagious and spreads through the faeces, saliva and vomit of infected animals.
The virus can survive in a house for months and in dirt for years.
GV Vets practice owner Frances Jenner said vaccination was key when it came to parvo.
“You can't clean up the ground, pick up every piece of poo and disinfect the grass,” Dr Jenner said.
“Parvo can be anywhere and can live for years — nearly 10 years according to some studies.”
Dr Jenner said GV Vets tested dogs showing symptoms in the owner's car before allowing the dogs inside.
“It isn't uncommon for us to get a few cases a year, so all our receptionists are trained to spot the signs over the phone and test the dogs before they get anywhere near the clinic because of how infectious the virus is,” she said.
Dr Jenner stressed vaccinations as the only way to protect your dog.
Symptoms include tiredness, reluctance to play, disinterest in food and a possible fever before worsening into listlessness, vomiting and diarrhoea.
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