DOG owners risk having to fork out more than £1,000 as a killer virus sweeps through the area's canine population.

Scores of dogs are being struck down by a new strain of parvovirus, a disease which dehydrates the dog, often killing it within days.

Dogs can catch the disease just by walking down a street where an infected dog has been - and as it is a virus, there is no cure for parvovirus, which can survive in the atmosphere for up to two years.

The infection takes a grip of the dog so quickly it does not have time to build up a defence to it. The only remedy is to place the dog on a drip for several days.

But that course of action can cost worried owners in excess of £1,000 if their pet is not insured because the newest strain of the disease is taking much longer to beat.

Amanda Hogan, a veterinary assistant at the Withy Grove practice in Bamber Bridge, said a simple course of injections can reduce the risk.

She said: "For about £30, a dog can have these injections which are the only prevention we have against this horrible disease.

"The disease comes in waves and we are getting many more cases than usual at the moment.

"What is concerning us is that recent cases are taking much longer to cure, costing the owner a lot more.

"The virus causes the dog to have horrendous, bloody diarrhoea all the time, dehydrating it very quickly.

"If they aren't put on a drip quickly, there is no doubt the dog will die." Amanda added dogs are put into isolation as soon as the virus is spotted by vets.

She said: "It is most common in poorer areas where dogs haven't been vaccinated.

"If there are puppies in the area then the virus will spread very quickly.

"We have two dogs in at the moment and their treatment is costing £900 at the moment. Their owner's are fortunate that they took out pet insurance. Without it, they may not have been able to afford it."

SYMPTOMS of Parvovirus include: Loss of appetite; the dog becoming listless or dejected; continual vomiting and bloody diarrhoea.

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