(SANTA MARIA, Calif.) – Santa Barbara County Animal Services has noted a recent uptick of cases of canine respiratory disease and parvovirus infection in the Santa Maria area. The owners of dogs and puppies are advised to consult their veterinarians to ensure their animals are current on recommended vaccines and are informed about how to keep them safe and healthy.
Canine parvovirus is an extremely infectious virus that is present year-round in the environment. This virus can cause very serious disease and death in dogs and puppies. Symptoms of this disease include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Puppies are at greatest risk of contracting the virus, as their immune systems are not yet fully developed. According to Dr. Ginger White, Director of Shelter Medicine for Santa Barbara County Animal Services, “The chances of a dog or puppy becoming infected with parvovirus are greatly reduced with proper vaccination. Not only can a simple vaccine potentially save your pet’s life, but it can save thousands of dollars in veterinary expenses and heartbreak for dog owners.” Because they are higher risk for contracting parvovirus, puppies should be restricted from public outdoor areas until their vaccination series is completed at approximately 16 weeks of age. Most often, the parvovirus vaccine is combined with Distemper virus and Adenovirus type 2 vaccines, but this can vary.
There are multiple different infectious agents that can cause respiratory disease in dogs and puppies. There are vaccinations available to help prevent many, but not all of these infections.