Protect your precious pets from parvovirus
Parvovirus mainly affects young dogs and puppies – and is highly contagious and often fatal.
Concerns are growing for dog owners in the mid-South Coast as the infamous and deadly parvovirus spreads and claims more animal lives.
This week, Scottburgh Veterinary Clinic confirmed that it had noticed a huge spike in these cases.
Parvovirus mainly affects young dogs and puppies – and is highly contagious and often fatal.
“This virus has been around for a long time and every year we find peaks in numbers,” said Dr Debi Subramanian, veterinary surgeon at Scottburgh Veterinary Clinic.
“We have had 30 cases of parvovirus in the last three months which were presented to the vet hospital – there would definitely have been numerous pets being affected and suddenly dying at home without ever seeing the vet.”
“The treatment in hospital is intensive and we are happy to have achieved an 80 percent recovery rate.”
Dr Subramanian describes parvovirus as a ‘devastating disease’.
“I would say it is the worst thing a puppy could ever experience as you could find them vomiting continuously and moaning due to severe pain in the abdomen,” she explained.
“The virus completely knocks out the energy of what should normally be a healthy, bouncy puppy. After a few days, the pet could start producing a very smelly, bloody type of diarrhoea. The virus could infect the heart and cause a sudden heart attack.”
Many locals were unaware of the existence of parvovirus and only discovered it when one of their own dogs unfortunately succumbed to it.
A local from the area shared her thoughts on parvovirus taking a toll on many puppies.
“Just last week, a friend of mine lost three puppies in Umkomaas because of parvovirus,” she said.
“People need to be more aware of things like this and take precautionary measures before it leads to more fatalities.”
Scottburgh Veterinary Clinic noticed that the numbers have increased this year as many people were reluctant to bring their animals to the vet due to Covid-19.
Dr Subramanian stated that they have mostly been doing consults outside and that all protocol is observed, so there is no need to fear taking your pets to the vet.
She added that to beat parvovirus, there is thankfully a very effective vaccine.
“The issue with the vaccine is that it needs to be repeated,” she said.
“A puppy needs three vaccines, three weeks apart in order to be protected from the virus and certain breeds like brown and black rottweilers may need a fourth vaccine to be covered for parvovirus due to differences in their immune system.”
The vaccination schedule can be started from any age, preferably beginning from five to six weeks of age, the second vaccination would then be given at eight to nine weeks and the final vaccine at 11 to 12 weeks.
If the puppies age is unknown, it is recommended that you visit your local vet immediately and have an assessment done.
“Once the puppy is able to eat solid food, he or she is most likely ready to be vaccinated. Older dogs and cats will need vaccination once a year even if they have had their initial puppy or kitten set.”
Dr Subramanian assures pet owners that other viruses such as distemper and rabies will also be included in the vaccination, known as the ‘5in1’ vaccine.
It’s known to protect the animal against five different viruses and is cost effective.
Aside from the deadly parvovirus, there has also been talk about rabies in the mid-South Coast area and towards Amanzimtoti.
Scottburgh Veterinary Clinic stated that it had no confirmed cases of rabies over the last six months and Amanzimtoti SPCA stated it also had no cases this year so far.
Regardless of rabies not being detected in the area, Michelle Hannan of the Amanzimtoti SPCA has still asked people to be aware when approaching a strange animal as you may not know how they will react.
If you suspect an animal has rabies, contact your local SPCA or contact the State Vet at 031 3022800.
“The infection is carried through saliva and can be transferred even through a scratch, and although this is not common, it is possible,” said Ms Hannan.
If you get bitten or scratched by any dog or cat, immediately go to your local hospital or clinic for rabies treatment. This has to be done within 72 hours of the bite.
“It is also very important for people to be careful of stray animals because if you bring them into your house not knowing they’re infected, you are putting your own animals at risk of diseases.”
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