Yellowknife (Jan 21/05) - A highly contagious disease which strikes fear in the hearts of dog owners is very prevalent here in the North, says Roxanne Gravel, a receptionist with the Great Slave Animal Hospital.

Parvo virus, an often fatal viral disease, has turned up in three dogs from Hay River in the last week alone, Gravel said.

Roxanne Gravel, receptionist at the Great Slave Animal Hospital, holds Snoop, a victim of parvo virus. Because the disease was caught in time, he is expected to recover. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

Dogs in the Fort Simpson have also been affected and several puppies have succumbed to the disease.

"It's very common in the North because there are no vets in the smaller communities," Gravel said.

The Yellowknife clinic is the only one in both the NWT and Nunavut.

Characterized by vomiting, lethargy, fever and diarrhea, the disease attacks a dog's intestinal lining, resulting in shock, dehydration and death.

Immunization is necessary for protection against the disease, she noted.

Contracted through contact with the feces of another dog, the disease can remain active for a very long time in the environment, Gravel said.

A series of vaccinations -- beginning at six weeks with two follow-up shots -- are necessary, she said.

While the disease can be cured if caught quickly, Gravel said there are no home remedies to combat it.

"They must call a vet and get their dog on a plane and sent to us," she said.

In the last year, between six and eight cases have been reported, Gravel said.

While dog mushers generally have their dogs vaccinated on a regular basis, pet owners may not realize they are able to acquire the vaccine themselves through the veterinarian. You can and administer it yourself or ask someone used to giving injections to do it for you.