Dogs in south Kerry are displaying a higher than normal incidence of a potentially fatal virus, a vet in the area has warned.
Killarney vet Dr Tom Brosnan has urged dog owners in the area "to be on the alert" for symptoms.
More dogs than normal are also dying from the outbreak which is a combination of two viruses, the common parvo virus and the corona virus, Mr Brosnan said.
"People believe their dogs are being poisoned, but this is not the case," Dr Brosnan said.
Dogs in Kerry were displaying "depression", vomiting, had gastro upsets and were off-form, he said.
A dog was normally "outgoing", and when not, it was considered depressed, he explained.
The outbreak which began in the Kenmare area at Christmas is mainly among hunting and gun dogs, such as setters and pointers.
This is because a number of these dogs are usually kept together in owners' kennels, he
said.
Sheepdogs which are common in the area have so far not been affected.
Where a dog has been vaccinated against parvo virus, it stood a better chance of withstanding the new combination, Dr Brosnan said.
He urged dog owners to be alert for symptoms and to isolate affected animals from other dogs.