Pet owners warned after heartbroken couple lose three dogs to deadly disease

26 July 2023 , 09:40

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Chihuahua Charlie died from the parvovirus virus

A family is warning other dog owners after a deadly virus killed three of their dogs in just six days, while a fourth dog is fighting for its life.

Chihuahuas Charlie and Shadow and German Shepherd Faye caught parvovirus, an infectious disease which attacks cells in a dog's intestines causing them to become weak and dehydrated.

Chihuahua Pomeranian Star, their fourth dog, was last night continuing to fight for its life after after showing parvovirus symptoms, which include vomiting, loss of appetite, and fever.

Now couple Robert and Michelle Newman are warning other dog owners to be vigilant.

Chihuahua Shadow died from the deadly disease last week

All five of their dogs were up-to-date with their parvovirus vaccinations. Their fifth dog, chug Penny has not be affected by the virus, reports the Stoke Sentinel.

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Six-month-old Faye passed away on Monday, July 17. But it was only on Thursday, July 20 when 18-month-old Charlie passed away that parvovirus was confirmed as the cause of both deaths. Twelve-year-old Shadow passed away on Sunday, July 23.

Robert, aged 55, warns: “As soon as you see the first signs, as soon as they go off their food, take them to the vet, you’ve only got days. It’s that fast. If the dogs go off food, take them to the vets straight away or you’ll lose your dog.

German Shepherd Faye was also killed by the deadly virus

“This virus does not appear to take into account whether a dog is inoculated or not, it depends on the dog itself. The injections definitely do help but it appears to kill them either way.

“We've always known about parvovirus - we had a dog who had it many years ago. But that was a different kettle of fish. She went off her food for a few days and then started being sick. We took her to the vets, they put her on a drip, we got her back, and she was fine. This time round, it has been so fast."

Chihuahua Pomeranian Star was last night continuing to fight for its life

The couple from Stoke have thrown away all of their soft furnishings and bleached their entire home in a desperate attempt to try to eradicate the virus.

Robert added: “We both stink of bleach. It’s constant, daily. For at least the next two weeks it’ll be the same routine to make sure we get rid of the virus.

"Me and my wife haven’t had time to stop and grieve. It's still happening everyday. Every single day we’re bleaching and scrubbing the house, running backwards and forwards to the PDSA, or tending to sick animals that are dying. We haven’t had time to stop and take stock as it's still happening. We're all playing catch-up, everybody’s tired, everyone’s techy. We want to grieve but there isn’t time.

“We’re used to opening the front door to them all, all excited. Now, there’s no dogs there. You walk into the house and there’s nothing. It’s a strange experience not having them around. We don’t want any other pet owners going through what we've been through.”

Rachel Alexander