Puppy-killing disease sweeps Britain and owners are warned to stay on high alert

A cruel disease that kills puppies is sweeping the ­country – and owners are being warned to stay on high alert.

There has been a spike in cases of parvovirus in the past year, many of which are tiny pups sold by dodgy ­breeders before having vaccinations.

Labrador pup Otter was bought online when he was ten weeks old – but days later he was diagnosed with the highly infectious disease.

He needed £4,000 of ­treatment to save his life.

Otter had not been ­vaccinated and his owners could not pay the bill.

Luckily he has since been adopted by Martina Eyre-Brook, the vet who treated him.

She said: “After five days of ­intravenous fluids, medication and a plasma transfusion, he was still very ill. We thought we were going to lose him.”

Otter was suffering from sickness and diarrhoea when he arrived at her surgery, Vets4Pets in Cirencester, Glos. Martina spent five days caring for him on an isolation ward.

She said: “Just as we thought it was the end, he stopped vomiting. Thankfully, he is on the road to a full recovery. But many aren’t as lucky.”

Parvovirus, or parvo, is being called the second most frightening canine disease after Alabama rot.

Parvo attacks tiny tummies so they cannot absorb ­nutrients, leading to ­dehydration and even death. It is spread by ­saliva or poo. There is no cure. While most cases are puppies who catch it before having their second set of jabs, it can strike older dogs too.

In Lincolnshire, 12 cases were reported in 48 hours, with dogs affected in Cumbria, Northumberland, Lancashire and Yorkshire over summer.

British Veterinary Association President John Fishwick said: “We ­encourage owners to ensure their dogs’ vaccinations are up to date. Signs of parvo include diarrhoea and vomiting, lack of appetite and depression.”

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