Significant outbreaks of parvovirus have led to the euthanasia of around 130 dogs since September, with cases increasing in multiple regions across the country, veterinarians say.
Parvovirus, which attacks a dog’s gastrointestinal tract, spreads through contaminated faeces, food and water bowls, and footwear.
Symptoms included lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea, and the disease could progress rapidly, often leading to death.
Dogs between six-weeks and six-months of age were most at risk. Experts said the best protection against parvovirus was vaccination, but financial pressures were preventing some owners from getting their dogs protected.
SPCA animal services general manager Corey Regnerus-Kell said 130 dogs and puppies were humanely euthanised due to parvovirus between September 1, 2024 and March 21, 2025.
This was 20 more than the 110 euthanised dogs during the same period last year.
“These are just the ones reported to us. We believe there are many more in the community not seeking the support these animals need.”
Cases of parvovirus were spreading across several regions, including Northland, Canterbury, Auckland, the Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Waikato, Wellington, and Manawatū-Whanganui.
Many centres had received calls from pet owners asking for financial assistance to vaccinate their dogs or seeking to surrender puppies to avoid potential exposure.
Some owners, fearing the high cost of treatment, have resorted to giving up their pets entirely.
SPCA centres were unable to house and rehome dogs with parvo due to its highly infectious nature and its persistence in the environment under certain conditions for up to seven years, said Regnerus-Kell.
“Sadly, we are often left with no option but to provide humane euthanasia for dogs whose owners cannot afford treatment.”
He said parvo was a “painful and debilitating” disease requiring intensive multi-day therapy to recover from, for survival, “if they are lucky”.
“We want to strongly urge all dog owners to ensure their pets are fully vaccinated to prevent unnecessary suffering.”
The New Zealand Veterinary Association’s Sally Cory said community effort was needed to boost vaccination rates.
“If you know someone who is getting a puppy or has a dog, be proactive in spreading the word because vaccinations save lives.”
Financial pressures were increasingly a driving factor in people putting off vaccinating their puppy or dog, she said.
“However, vaccinations are highly effective, cost significantly less than the cost of treating parvovirus, and help to prevent tragedy.
“Seeing animals that need emergency treatment for a preventable illness is very difficult for everyone involved.”