Vets in the Bristol area are urging dog owners to get their pets protected against the potentially deadly Parvovirus disease after a number of cases in the city.

Six dogs have died from the disease in the last three months and there are a further seven suspected cases. The highly infectious disease causes vomiting, diarrhoea and heart problems and is fatal in about 90% of cases.

Several local vets are taking part in a month-long campaign, offering a course of vaccinations at reduced rates.

A veterinary nurse at the Bristol PDSA clinic, said: "We can help them with supportive treatment, but we cannot cure this virus. Once they have it in their system we can't get rid of it, all we can do is fight it by providing fluid and anti-sickness drugs"