A potentially deadly canine virus is sweeping through Cornwall, Ont., keeping dog owners on high alert.
Experts are warning that canine parvovirus is being contracted at a higher-than-usual rate in the city located about 100 kilometres south of Ottawa.
"We are seeing a higher number than usual these days," Dr. Adnan El-Korchi of St. Lawrence Valley Animal Hospital told CTV Ottawa.
He said it's difficult to determine how many dogs have contracted the virus. However, one dog owner and community advocate in an east Cornwall neighbourhood has said she's aware of at least 17 cases in her community alone.
The highly contagious disease is transmitted between dogs through their feces. Experts say the virus could survive on the ground for up to a year.
El-Korchi said puppies are most at risk of contracting the virus, which causes severe dehydration, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss.
He said dogs usually die of the virus from dehydration alone.
Dogs that contract parvovirus can be saved with prompt medical treatment, and the virus could be prevented with a series of vaccinations.
Cornwall resident Brittany Crowder is warning her neighbours about the cost of not getting their dogs vaccinated. Her puppy died of parvovirus about two weeks ago.
She said a lot of dog owners she approaches say they're not planning on getting the parvovirus vaccine.
"Well I did that too,” she said. “And my puppy's dead now.”
