VACCINATE NOW! VETS WARN OF DEADLY DOG VIRUS ON THE RISE IN AUSTRALIA WHICH KILLS CANINES JUST DAYS AFTER THEY BECOME INFECTED
Source: Mail Online (Extract)
Posted: May 14, 2020
A killer canine virus which attacks the stomach lining and bone marrow of dogs is on the rise in Australia.
Vets have reported a sharp surge in cases of parvovirus in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales and are warning pet owners to protect their puppies.
Last year the Animal Emergency Service treated a total of 58 infections but in the first half of 2020, they’ve already seen 40 cases.
‘If you suspect your dog has parvovirus, visit your vet immediately – because if your pet isn’t treated quickly, the symptoms will become fatal,’ Dr Brooke Schampers from Brisbane’s Animal Emergency Service told the Courier Mail.
‘We have seen pets pass away within two days of showing symptoms of this cruel disease … It’s not something to be complacent about.’
The first signs of the ‘horrific’ and highly contagious virus are vomiting and diarrhea.
As time goes on parvovirus causes a dog’s bone marrow to deteriorate so much it can no longer produce white blood cells.
Once this happens the animal is unable to fight off sores and infections, leaving them with gruesome open wounds.
Loss of appetite and lethargy are also major signs a dog may have been infected.
There is also another less common strain of the parvovirus which attacks the heart muscles of young puppies.
Without early treatment both versions of the virus are fatal.
Canines can catch the virus through the paws and faeces of other infected dogs.
Contaminated areas such as dog bedding can also spread the disease.
But the good news is parvovirus is entirely preventable and Dr Schampers is urging dog owners to get their puppies vaccinated, especially in the Brisbane suburbs of Redbank Plains, Redbank, Springfield, and Forestdale where the infection rate has spiked.
‘It’s one of the worst spikes that we have seen,’ Dr Schampers told 9News.
‘Check your vaccination schedule or call your local vet if in doubt, and ensure your dog is protected from this horrific strain we are seeing in our hospitals.’