Yellowknife (Feb 10/06) - Two more puppies from Fort Smith are being treated for canine parvovirus (parvo) at the Great Slave Animal Hospital this week.

This puppy is being treated for Canine Parvovirus. The virus is highly contagious and affects the intestinal tract of the dog. Though dogs of all ages can be infected, the most common sufferers of the virus are puppies between six weeks and six months old. - Jessica Gray/NNSL photo

Although 11 of the 14 puppies survived an outbreak of parvo from Nahanni Butte and are safe and sound in Edmonton, the spread of the parvo virus is a concern in the Northwest Territories.

Last year there were seven cases of parvo reported here. The cases were detected in remote communities without veterinarians.

The reason parvo is so devastating to dog populations is because the virus is so contagious.

"The virus is found in diarrhea and vomit. parvo can stay alive, frozen in the ground for up to four years," said Great Slave Animal Hospital employee Ashlee Shermet

"If untreated, it's almost certain death."

Parvo can also be spread by infected saliva or by contact with fur. Communities where many dogs interact can lead to a high infection rate.

Once infected, the dogs can only be treated by vets.

There is a vaccine to prevent parvo and it is part of a booster shot all puppies should receive shortly after birth.

The cost to treat the 14 puppies with parvo was $5,000, paid jointly by the SPCA and the animal hospital.

The vaccine costs $35 and can be sent to any community in the Northwest Territories.

Communities that have a large stray animal population are at risk.

The animal hospital asks owners to spay or neuter their dogs to prevent unwanted puppies.

The Northwest Territories SPCA branch also promotes fixing animals.

"We wouldn't have the parvo problem we have now and we would cut down the number of strays and unwanted pets in animal shelters," said president Janet Pacey.

Matthew Hough owns two dogs, one of which was a stray he found under a truck in Iqaluit.

"It was -25C and Kiya was only a tiny puppy. She was starving and freezing."

He makes sure to get his dogs inoculated every year because his vet warned him about parvo

Symptoms include bloody vomiting or diarrhea, nausea and lethargy.