A PUPPY found dumped by the bins at a supermarket has died after being diagnosed with parvovirus. 

The eight-week-old animal was discovered by a member of the public after being ditched at Tesco in Charlton, Andover, on Saturday. 

He was taken to the vets where an examination revealed he had parvovirus, an illness which can prove deadly for puppies who are not vaccinated.

Test Borough Valley Council said the tiny hound, who they had named Dusty, had sadly passed away and was now urging dog owners to be wary. 

In a statement, the authority said: "We are very sad to say that the puppy, who we named Dusty, was diagnosed with the highly contagious parvovirus, and subsequently passed away."

The council said dog owners walking in the Charlton and Andover area should ensure that their dog’s vaccinations are up to date.

The spokesman added: "Vulnerable dogs such as very young pups should not be walked in communal areas or public spaces until their immunity has been built up through vaccinations and boosters. Check with your vets for details."

Symptoms of parvo

Parvovirus is a highly infectious disease that can be fatal, the Blue Cross advises.  Many dogs who are diagnosed with parvo will die.

The virus attacks cells in a dog’s intestines and stops them from being able to absorb vital nutrients. This means that a dog or puppy will become very weak and dehydrated.

It is also known as canine parvovirus, or CPV.

How do you know if your dog has parvovirus?

Symptoms of parvo include foul-smelling diarrhoea with blood in it, vomiting, loss of appetite, collapse, depression, fever and sudden death.

Who is at risk?

Young puppies and unvaccinated dogs, including those who have not had their booster injections.

Puppies go downhill very quickly because the symptoms caused by parvovirus make them very weak, and mean their immune systems have to work very hard to fight the disease. 

Parvo outbreaks are most commonly seen in towns and cities with a large population of unvaccinated dogs.

Is parvovirus contagious to other dogs?

Yes. Parvo is highly contagious to other dogs and spreads very easily around dogs and puppies that aren’t up to date with their vaccinations.

How can I prevent my dog catching this disease?

Dogs and puppies can be vaccinated against parvovirus from the age of six weeks.

A puppy should have their first vaccine at six to eight weeks old. They will then need a second vaccine two weeks later. After that, they will need a booster vaccine at one year old.