Pet owners urged to vaccinate as parvovirus death reported in Montreal

Recent reports of a dog dying from parvovirus in Montreal have renewed urgent warnings from veterinarians about the importance of vaccination against the deadly disease. The Association des médecins vétérinaires du Québec (AMVQ) emphasized that parvovirus remains extremely common, highly contagious, and often fatal in unvaccinated dogs left untreated. The virus is found "everywhere" in the environment, making exposure virtually unavoidable for unprotected pets. AMVQ president Valérie Bissonnette noted that while deaths from parvovirus are less common than in the past, "sadly, deaths from parvovirus still do happen today." Pet owners are being urged to ensure their dogs are fully vaccinated and to seek immediate veterinary care if their animals show signs of illness, as early treatment combined with vaccination status can mean the difference between recovery and tragedy.