Dogs owners are being reminded to get their pets vaccinated after an outbreak of a potentially deadly disease in Medway.

In the past two weeks, animal charity PDSA has had at least six cases of the highly contagious viral illness parvovirus, with two of the dogs dying.

The virus is passed from dog to dog and they can become infected by sniffing dog faecal matter. Symptoms include severe vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. It particularly dangerous in puppies.

Jennie Keen, head nurse at PDSA Gillingham PetAid hospital, said: “Parvovirus is a severe, highly infectious disease that can often be fatal, particularly in puppies. In the summer we often see an increase cases and sadly in the past two weeks alone we have had six confirmed cases, sadly two of the dogs have died. We also have a further three suspected parvovirus cases, one of which has passed away.

“The main symptoms of parvovirus are severe vomiting and diarrhoea. This causes terrible suffering for the dog. This is particularly upsetting because vaccination against the disease is readily available, yet many owners are leaving their dogs unprotected.”

A report by the PDSA found that nearly one in five dogs (18%) had never been vaccinated. It urged owners to make sure their pets have been inoculated.

Ms Keen added: “Dogs suffering from parvovirus require intensive care and, sadly, despite our best efforts, some dogs do die from this disease.

“It’s heartbreaking to see pets suffering this way from an easily preventable illness, and for the owners it’s terrible when they realise they could have protected their pets from this. I would urge all owners to make sure their pets’ vaccinations are up to date.”

Alan Shepherd, of ALM Shepherd Veterinarians, in Canterbury Street, Gillingham, said he hadn’t seen a dog suffering for the disease for some time, but urged owners to ensure their vets were vaccinated, as well as getting yearly vaccine boosters.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from the disease, isolate it and call the vet immediately. Don’t wait and see - dogs suffering from the disease often need intensive treatment and even then may not survive.