Tauranga dog owners are being warned as a fatal dog virus outbreak hits the Bay.

The number of dogs suffering from parvovirus in three Tauranga suburbs is on the rise and veterinarians are warning dog owners to get their pets immunised.

There has been a spike in the number of dogs suffering from parvovirus in three Tauranga suburbs.

The virus, which can infect both dogs and puppies, attacks the intestines of the canine causing the dog to develop severe vomiting and dysentery. It also causes respiratory and cardiovascular failure in young puppies.

Vetcare Bethlehem Veterinary Centre director Garry Ball says there has definitely been an increase in the number of cases.

'We normally get the odd case, particularly over the summer months, when there are more puppies around and when dogs are out and about more. But there is definitely a spike in the number of cases right now.

'We are seeing these cases particularly from the Bellevue, Brookfield and Bethlehem area of town.”

He says vets are treating about one case a day at present.

The virus is highly contagious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their faeces.

It can be especially severe in puppies that are not protected by maternal antibodies or vaccination.

'The virus is extremely resilient and can remain viable on the ground for many months.”

Garry says treatment for parvovirus can be limited.

'We have been using Tamiflu and in early cases it has been helping get the dogs through it.

'Apart from that it's supportive treatment, fluids and antibiotics.”

How the virus affects the dog depends on the age and the size of the infected dog.

'Smaller dogs, puppies, don't have the same degree of resilience to fight the dehydration. The death rate is probably around 50 per cent.”

Garry says the earlier the virus is caught and the more robust the dog, the better the chances of it making it through.

He is urging owners to get their dogs vaccinated to prevent the spread of the virus.

He says vaccination is very effective, so long as a puppy has had a full course of vaccines with the last shot given not before 14-weeks-old. Adult dogs require a booster every three years.

'The dogs that are most at risk are the puppies that have not had their full course of vaccinations.

'To reassure dog owners out there - if their young dog less than a year-old and has had its full course of vaccines, or the adult dog has had a booster within three years, then the risk to their dog is extremely low.”

Garry says the virus typically infects unvaccinated dogs. It is not infectious to humans.