I dont usually post here, more of a lurker but i thought i would let people know that in Hitchin at oughtenhead common there are signs up at the entrances reporting that a few dogs have recently died of parvo (left by the countryside management team). I have just phoned the vets to confirm this and they have told me to stay clear of that area for now. Not sure if anyone is from around this area but just letting people know. Just out of interest does anybody know how long i should stay away? My dog loves the common! Thanks

Not sure, but I was told Parvo can live in the soil for around 6 months?

Whatever time scale it is cannot start until the last reported case so I think I would check again with the vet in a few weeks times and see what they recommend.  Although they say 6 months in a home setting I would imagine the risk would be lower out in the open but then again on well used paths it could be in the same order as a home situation.

This has been reported in hitchin for a couple of weeks now.  Haven't heard anymore and just down our road you get into hitchin.

Just make sure jabs are up to date aswell.

Thanks for the replies, 6 months is a long time, its used quite alot for dog walkers and horse riders. My dog is vaccinated but i know of at least 2 very stupid owners who havent bothered because of various reasons, couldnt afford it seems to be the most popular, even though my vets do a scheme where you can pay monthly to cover jabs and worming and flea treatment which is extremly handy for forgetful people like myself. There is also a river running along the common (my dogs going to miss this!) and i was wondering if it could possibly contaminate the water, with rain washing god knows what into the water. Didnt realise it had been reported for a few weeks ice_queen until i went for our morning walk and noticed signs up today. Hopefully no more dogs will be taken ill.

ooooo new owner you are brave calling people who don't vaccinate stupid!!

I do, but there are lots that don't as well (the whole for and against argument etc etc)

If he is vaccinated then surely he would be ok to go on his usual walk.....??? I appreciate its your choice tho.

The vaccine may not cover all strains as unfortunately Parvo mutates but, like the flu vaccine, it may help reduce the effects.
I think if someone does not vaccinate for financial reasons they are stupid because the effects of disease may cost them a lot more.  Others reasons may or may not fall into the category I could not possibly say ;)

Your right I am but i didnt mean to offend anybody on here, each to there own and all that. But i am talking about people not vaccinating at all, from puppys. I presumed when people didnt vaccinate they meant they didnt vaccinate yearly rather than not at all ever (for personal reasons), so apologies to anyone that has taken this the wrong way (and may i also add that these people really are stupid and are not not doing it because of the effects that vaccinations may have on their pets but more they are not doing it because they do not want to part with there money and think their pets will be okay for a bit!). She is vaccinated but the vets have said she could still contract it and to stay clear of the area for now. To be honest i would rather not take any chances as she means the world to me. I dont think the relaxed attitude to picking up dog poo has helped either to be honest, or the lets pick it up and put it in a bag and sling it into a bush so it hangs on a branch. Cannot understand that one considering there are bins at every entrance to the common.

My dog is vaccinated but i know of at least 2 very stupid owners who havent bothered because of various reasons, couldnt afford it seems to be the most popular, even though my vets do a scheme where you can pay monthly to cover jabs and worming and flea treatment which is extremly handy for forgetful people like myself.

My dogs aren't vaccinated but they are titre tested & I've never had an adult need boosting over the last 20 odd years. I know my dogs have protection-vaccination doesn'r mean they are protected & you can't be sure unless you have the titre tested as well to make sure the vax have worked !

moonmaiden please dont take my post to heart (see above) just to let you know these owners are not really interested in the health of their dogs or anyone elses, is purely to save money. I have read on the pros and cons of vaccination and for now will be continuing with jabs but there is a world of difference between someone like your self who obviously does care and people who cant be bothered.

Where abouts do you live then new owner?

It was posted on here and has been in the local news for a while supposedly.

Hopefully no more dogs will be taken ill.  Such a horrible thing is Parvo, so easily passed on.  Our dogs arn't walked in hitchin but the fields they are run in do go down to hitchin from letchworth.

Hitchin, about a 2 minute walk down a road to the common. Havent noticed it on the news or paper (must say i dont tend to read the local paper alot but one of the kids or OH would of noticed). Only found out through notices put up by countryside management, its a conservation area so its well looked after. The common and the river join on to ickleford i believe if you go one way, the other is towards the town.

Ah yes I know where you mean.

If you want to walk out of hitchin there is letchworth common or fairlands vally in steveage.

Not sure though if they would be just as risky but it's other options close by to let your dog free run and swim.

It was on BBC news website.  not sure if it was on local TV news as I don't live down there anymore, just dogs and parents do :)

havent heard anything about over here but i live about 30 mins from Hitchin :)