Vets warn dog owners of contagious virus
With appropriate supportive care only 70 to 90% of sick dogs survive.
Veterinarians on the South Coast are currently treating a large number of dogs with Canine Parvovirus (Parvo) and therefore strongly advise pet owners of a proper initial vaccination series.
Parvo is a highly contagious viral disease that commonly targets young and unvaccinated dogs causing gastrointestinal symptoms.
Black and tan dogs such as Rottweilers and Dobermans are at increased risk of more severe illness.
Dr Anneen Labuschagne said the symptoms to look out for include lethargy, loss of appetite, high fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.
“Infection happens through direct contact with faeces from a sick dog or indirect contact via contaminated environments, people or equipment,” she said.
She explained that the virus can survive for years in the environment and is resistant to most household cleaning products.
Hard surfaces like tiles and cement can be cleaned with a diluted bleach, but gardens and dirt are more difficult.
“This means that parvovirus can be transmitted on our shoes without us knowing about it,” she said.
Treatment usually includes a hospital stay on a drip with antibiotics, anti-emetics, pain control and nutritional support.
“These treatments can last anywhere from five to 10 days. With appropriate supportive care 70-90% of sick dogs survive. Day treatment (pups kept at home but brought in daily for injections) is also possible, but less effective,” she said.
Dr Labuschagne said this is important since death is usually due to dehydration or shock.
“If puppies are born from mothers that are sufficiently vaccinated, they have antibodies for the first few weeks of life. The exact time is unknown in each individual, meaning there is a window of time where a puppy may not be protected. This is why vaccinations are required every three to four weeks from six weeks of age until at least 16 weeks of age.”
If your puppy comes from a mother that is unvaccinated or you have a puppy with an unknown history they could be vulnerable to infection at a much earlier age.
She explained that the good news is there is now a new vaccine available that can be given from four weeks of age, providing high levels of immunity from three days post vaccination.
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