By Michelle Poirier [1]
BELLEVILLE – Local veterinarians are offering discounted vaccines to combat a fatal virus that has killed 12 dogs in the Quinte area.
The Quinte Humane Society [2] is partnering with local veterinary clinics to fight the recent outbreak [3] of canine parvovirus, a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs.
Canine parvovirus is intestinal and is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite, according to petMD [4].
“The virus can be passed from dog to dog or even from people who have been in contact with the virus can transmit it to the dog off their clothing and their shoes,” Frank Rockett, executive director of the Quinte Humane Society, said.
The veterinarians will be setting up vaccination clinics for dogs who have never been vaccinated, are living in low-income homes and are not part of a breeding program. The veterinary clinics involved will temporarily be lowering the cost of this preliminary vaccination from around $120 or more to $40, he said.
These vaccinations are just the first set that dogs will need. The dogs will still require a booster shot and the owners are required to keep the shots up to date each year, he said.
Bell Animal Hospital, Belleville Animal Hospital, Belleway Veterinary Hospital, Foxboro Veterinary Hospital, Hastings Veterinary Hospital, Loyalist Veterinary Hospital and Moira Veterinary Clinic are all offering the discounted vaccine.
The clinics run from Monday to Saturday and anyone interested in getting their dog vaccinated is asked to contact the Quinte Humane Society at 613-968-4673 to book an appointment.