A mum from Darwen has issued a plea, after her puppy contracted a deadly canine disease that can be fatal.

Amy Riley’s dog, Cookie, is fighting for her life after catching parvovirus earlier this month.

She has since set up a fundraiser to help her raise £4,000 to help pay for her vet bills.

It is thought the six-month-old mixed breed picked up the virus near Ivinson Road or Ash Grove, while being taken on a walk.

Amy said: “I took her for a walk around the streets where I live.

“She is usually only in my back garden as it is quite a large garden but on this day i took her around the block.

“It is my biggest regret because this is the only place she could have picked up the virus.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Cookie (pictured) is fighting for her life after catching parvovirus Cookie (pictured) is fighting for her life after catching parvovirus (Image: Amy Riley)

Cookie started displaying symptoms on Monday, June 12, when she started vomiting. Vets initially thought Cookie had a stomach problem.

Amy, 25, said: “She first visited the vets as she was vomiting and this was out of character for her.

“The vets said she had gastritis and sold me anti-sickness medication and diarrhoea medication.”

Amy said Cookie’s continued to deteriorate and took her back to the vets the next day.

She said: “I could just see her getting worse. Her diarrhoea now contained blood.

“I took her to be reassessed by the vets, who then said it looked like she had parvovirus and needed to be admitted.”

As she did not initially have enough money to admit the dog, Cookie was sent home with antibiotics.

Amy said: “The fee was too much money and I just didn’t have it. The vets sold me some antibiotics and told me she would perk up in three days.

“That night she became so weak, barely eating and drinking. She was still losing a lot of blood and was still vomiting.”

On Wednesday, June 14, the vets accepted £100 as a deposit so she could get treatment until Amy can provide the remaining funds at a later date.

Amy said: “The vets are so concerned for her as they could see just how much she had deteriorated within a day.

“Cookie is still very poorly. She is on a few different medications but she isn’t responding to it so far.

“She is still vomiting and bleeding and currently has a feeding tube.”

To Amy and her child, Cookie is another member of the family and they are very worried about her.

She said: “If you have a dog you know they become family. Myself and my four-year-old child just want her home.

“I will never forget this experience and the guilt I hold inside me knowing I took her on that walk that has left her in critical condition.”

As well as worrying about the welfare of her dog, Amy is concerned about the vet bills. Without the money she cannot continue treatment.

Amy said: “So far I have spent £1,000 on vet bills. I have used all my monthly money and now I have none left.

“I am worried about where I can get the rest of the money from in order to continue her treatment.

“If there is anyone out there that can donate anything, no matter how small, it will help.”

This is the second case of parvovirus in Darwen that has been reported to the Lancashire Telegraph in the last month.

Emily Irvine’s cockador, cockerspaniel mixed with labrador, fell ill after possibly catching the disease at Blacksnape Playing Fields.

Emily also set up a fundraiser to help with Bailey’s vet bills.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “Parvovirus is a highly infectious disease in which the virus attacks cells in the dog’s intestines and stops them being able to absorb the vital nutrients they need.

“It quickly causes them to become weak and can prove fatal, particularly in puppies.

“Haemorrhagic diarrhoea can come on suddenly and causes vomiting and bloody diarrhoea.

“We would encourage owners to ensure their pets are vaccinated to help avoid the heartbreak of losing a much-loved pet to this awful disease.”

To donate to Amy’s fundraiser click here.