PET owners are being urged to stay vigilant after canine parvovirus has been contracted around Longmoor, near Bordon.

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that attacks rapidly dividing cells in a dog’s body, most severely affecting the intestinal tract. It also attacks the white blood cells, and when young animals are infected, the virus can damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac problems.

The general symptoms are lethargy, severe vomiting, loss of appetite and bloody, foul-smelling diarrhoea that can lead to life-threatening dehydration.

It is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal or object that comes in contact with an infected dog’s faeces. Highly resistant, the virus can live in the environment for months, and may survive on inanimate objects such as food bowls, shoes, clothes, carpet and floors. It is common for an unvaccinated dog to contract parvovirus from the streets, especially in areas where there are many dogs.

But according to East Hampshire District Council’s (EHDC) animal welfare service, the virus is “a completely avoidable disease if dog owners ensure that their dogs have up-to-date vaccinations”.

“Two dogs have died as a result of contracting parvovirus in the Longmoor area,” an EHDC spokesman added.

The animal welfare service is urging all dog owners to ensure that their dog’s vaccinations are up-to-date.

“Parvovirus affects dogs and can be fatal to unvaccinated puppies and elderly or ill dogs. If a dog has up-to-date vaccinations, it will not be affected.”