By mid January many of us will have found our New Year resolve somewhat weakened! Trixies' owners, however, will have learned that ensuring "Trixie's" vaccinations are kept current and up to date is a resolution worth keeping.

Thus far we have been very fortunate in the Hinckley area that we now see very few cases of canine parvovirus enteritis. This is largely due to the awareness and responsibility of our pet owners ensuring that their pets are regularly vaccinated. Anecdotal reports from our veterinary colleagues in the Nuneaton area are not as fortunate.

This well known, serious and potentially life threatening disease causes symptoms of severe bloody vomiting and diarrhoea aptly demonstrated by poor Trixie. If left untreated this will lead to dehydration and death.

My Polish colleague Agnieszka, who was involved in saving Trixie, has considerable experience with parvovirus back home where the percentage of dogs vaccinated is considerably less than in the UK. Her awareness of the importance of prompt and aggressive fluid therapy no doubt contributed to "Trixie's" prompt recovery after she had been brought to the Fairfield Veterinary Centre by her owners.

Trixie will also be very appreciative of her owners significant financial contribution to her return to good health. Sadly the treatment of canine parvovirus enteritis can work out at 10 to 15 times the cost of vaccination. Yet another incentive to harden your New Year resolve!

Terry Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS

Back to "Interesting Cases"

If you wish to print or save this page it is available in PDF format here