By YASEMIN TALAT
PUPPIES in the western suburbs are falling victim to the deadly parvovirus following a spike in cases referred to the Lort Smith Animal Hospital in recent months.
Sunshine, Hoppers Crossing and Werribee have all been named as hotspots for the infection, which has seen 34 cases admitted in the last three months and five last weekend alone.
Head Veterinarian of in-patients at Lort Smith, Dr Andrew Kapsis said it was essential to vaccinate puppies against such deadly viruses and ensure the full course of vaccinations was completed.
“This is a serious disease,” Dr Kapsis said.
“Without treatment about 95 per cent of infected dogs will die and even with treatment about 30 per cent won’t make it.”
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that is spread through the faeces of infected dogs and can survive in the environment, such as local parks, for many months.
“You don’t need to have direct contact between dogs for the virus to spread,” Dr Kapsis said.
“It can be transmitted through contact with contaminated faeces in the environment, on contaminated shoes, clothing or other objects, such as balls.”
Dr Kapsis said the symptoms of parvovirus would start showing within two to seven days and may include pets losing appetite, becoming lethargic and developing vomiting, profuse bloody diarrhoea and dehydration.
He said severely affected dogs could go into shock from dehydration and sepsis, which often resulted in sudden death.
Dr Kapsis said treatment for parvovirus was also expensive, due to the need for intensive care and isolation required during a lengthy hospital stay.
“I can’t stress strongly enough the importance of protecting your dog against this horrific disease,” Dr Kapsis said.
The Lort Smith Animal Hospital is Australia’s largest not for profit veterinary hospital and provides discounted vaccination rates.
