Durban dog owners warned of parvovirus outbreak

THE Kloof and Highway SPCA has warned dog owners to look out for symptoms including diarrhea, listlessness, loss of appetite, and lethargy in their dogs and seek treatment immediately as the parvovirus is spreading.

Manager of the Kloof and Highway SPCA, Barbara Patrick said they have seen a sudden increase in dogs testing positive for the parvovirus and distemper virus.

Patrick said they are always vigilant and aware of the parvovirus when dealing with sick or unvaccinated puppies at the SPCA.

“At our SPCA we have had a terrible outbreak of Distemper and this is being carefully monitored,” said Patrick.

According to Patrick, the parvovirus mostly affects puppies up to a year of age.

The most common symptom is foul smelling and bloody diarrhoea, often accompanied by vomiting.

However, the initial symptoms of parvo are usually more subtle. Puppies that have contracted this disease will often stop eating and remain weak and lethargic for a day or two before the disease progresses to the more severe symptoms.

Distemper, on the other hand, affects nearly all of the organ systems of a dog and can present with a number of different symptoms.

Most common is an initial yellow-green discharge from their nose and eyes, similar to that of a child with a runny nose.

Distemper can also cause diarrhoea, but most characteristically, the disease can progress to affect the nervous system and neurological signs can include muscle twitching, seizures, circling and even paralysis.

The reason these diseases are considered to be such serious threats to the dogs are because they are very contagious and both can be fatal.

Unfortunately, most dogs either confirmed or suspected to have Distemper are humanely euthanised.

This is because the diseases are extremely contagious and causes serious and debilitating symptoms which can often lead to lifelong complications if the dog were to survive.

The area where a dog with parvo or distemper is kept needs to be cleaned thoroughly with bleach.

It is advisable that no unvaccinated dogs be brought to a premises where a puppy contracted the parvovirus for up to two years after it lived there.

What can dog owners do?

Dog owners can protect their puppy or dog and play a part in preventing these diseases from becoming a major problem.

Fortunately, both can be prevented through routine vaccinations for a puppy or dog.

Starting vaccinations for puppies at six weeks old is particularly important, as this is when dogs are most susceptible to contracting these diseases. One vaccination for a puppy is simply not enough to provide adequate immunity. It is imperative that owners ensure their puppies receive their full set of vaccinations.

From then on, dogs should receive their annual vaccinations as stipulated by veterinarians. Keeping a vaccination card is the easiest way to ensure that your dog’s vaccinations are up to date.

Through education and awareness and through correct and up to date vaccinations, we as a community can prevent these diseases from becoming a major problem among four-legged dog friends and ensure that all of them get to live a long and happy life, free from suffering.

Not everyone is in a position to help an animal, but everyone is in a position not to harm any animal or to cause suffering.

For any animals in distress, animal welfare concerns, animal cruelty complaints or unwanted animals, contact the Kloof and Highway SPCA Inspectorate during office hours on 031 764 1212/3, e-mail: inspectorate@kloofspca.co.za or for after-hours emergencies on 073 335 9322.

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