Ref. 71796-40 Pat Munster with English Bull Terrier Jimmy A PUPPY owner has warned dog-owners to be alert to the danger of a virus that almost killed her young pet.

Pat Munster, 57, of Rodbourne recently bought an English Bull Terrier puppy, Jimmy, but he became ill soon afterwards.

She said: "We bought Jimmy from a registered breeder. The kennels were immaculate and all the dogs were in fine fettle.

"He had had his first parvo injection and was due to go for the second one ten days later. During the night he was sick and had diarrhoea and in the morning it was obvious he was a very sick dog."

The vet, Richard Gowshall, did some tests which showed that Jimmy had parvovirus.

She said: "Richard warned me that there was a very strong chance that I might lose him

"He had intensive nursing for almost a week. At times it was touch and go whether he would live.

"I now have him back at home, perfectly fine, but he has to have another parvo injection this weekend. English Bull Terriers are boisterous and need a lot of exercise, and he hasn't been able to go out until he's vaccinated again."

"I don't think people realise just how serious this disease is. It's a killer. Jimmy's sister died. If Jimmy hadn't been so robust he wouldn't have made it."

Mr Gowshall, of Eastcott Veterinary Clinic said: "He is a lucky little dog because he was really quite profoundly ill when he came in."

Jimmy was treated with fluid therapy and interferon, a drug used to treat cancer in humans.

Mr Gowshall said: "The interferon kills the virus itself and it may well have made the difference with Jimmy.

"This is a disease that we haven't seen a great deal of, thankfully, but it is highly infectious and can remain in the environment for a long time. A dog with the virus walking through a park will leave the virus behind and it doesn't take much for there to be an outbreak, particularly in built-up areas.

"This year alone there have been outbreaks in the Forest of Dean, Coventry and Southampton and 15 years ago we had it in Swindon. So it's a shot across our bows when we see a clinical case of parvovirus."

Parvovirus is a major threat to all dogs

Parvovirus is the most dangerous and contagious virus that affects unprotected dogs.

It was discovered in 1978 and at that time a puppy that was infected was most likely to die. Older dogs have a better chance of resisting the virus.

The development of a parvo vaccine has helped control the spread of the disease.

The virus is most dangerous to puppies between the time of weaning and the age of six months.

All breeds of dogs can be infected but Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers are more susceptible.

Infected dogs have a 50-50 chance of survival, and if they do survive will have immunity for life.

Dogs contract the virus through contact with faeces from infected dogs.

Humans and other animals cannot be infected but they can carry the virus to dogs.

Symptoms of the virus include diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and depression.

Prevention of infection is through a programme of vaccination.