Vets have issued urgent advice to dog owners after a virus with a fatality rate of over 40 per cent killed more than 10 dogs in a few weeks.
The disease, canine parvovirus (PVC), affects dogs around the globe but is known to remain in infected areas for long periods of time.
Fortunately, PVC can be vaccinated against.
Victorians living in Latrobe Valley, in the state’s east, have been urged to ensure their dogs are up-to-date with their vaccinations to avoid contracting the disease.
PVC can spread quickly through unvaccinated dogs coming into contact with infected dogs, their poo, or contaminated surfaces.
Vets have issued a warning for dog owners to vaccinate against canine parvovirus due to an outbreak in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley that has claimed more than 10 dogs so far
The disease is often spread into homes on the bottom of people’s shoes – meaning dogs that don’t come into contact with other dogs or go outside are still at risk.
PVC, nicknamed ‘parvo’ in Australia, destroys an infected dog’s stomach and intestines causing gastroenteritis and dehydration.
Symptoms include lethargy, depression and a lack of appetite, followed by high fever, vomiting and hemorrhagic diarrhoea.
Moe Veterinary Centre vet Dr Laura Thorbecke told 7News she believes Latrobe Valley’s current outbreak of PVC is the worst she’s ever seen.
‘Once it’s out there in the community, it can be quite long-lasting. So, once an environment is contaminated with parvovirus – via an infected dog defecating, for example, at the dog park – it can be present for a really long time,’ Dr Thorbecke said.
She also believes the actual PVC community infection rate is much higher as many people don’t report their dogs being sick.
As it’s almost impossible to avoid PVC in a contaminated area, Dr Thorbecke recommends dog owners make sure their pooch is vaccinated.
‘If people don’t remain vigilant, this could be an ongoing problem for our area for quite a while,’ she said.
As it’s almost impossible to avoid PVC in a contaminated area, Dr Laura Thorbecke recommends dog owners make sure their pooch is vaccinated
A 2020 survey of 20 veterinary practices in five Australian states examined poo samples from 79 infected dogs, aged between one and 96 months old with a median age of four months old.
Only 3.7 per cent of the pups were up-to-date with their vaccine schedules, 49 per cent were incompletely vaccinated and 47.2 per cent were unvaccinated.
Of the 20,000 cases of PVC recorded in Australia every year, nearly half result in fatalities.
Dr Thorbecke said dogs that are taken for their recommended annual checkups ‘will almost always be given a parvo vaccine’.
The cost of a dose of the PVC vaccine varies from clinic to clinic but a local vet in Latrobe Valley charges about $100.
While the vaccine may seem expensive, treating PVC will set dog owners back thousands of dollars.
Dr Thorbecke said the ‘majority’ of dogs she diagnoses with PVC are euthanised due to the high cost of treatment.
‘It’s a really sad reality,’ she said.
PVC is often spread into homes on the bottom of people’s shoes – meaning dogs that don’t come into contact with other dogs or go outside are still at risk
More than 530 veterinary clinics around Australia were surveyed in 2018 to find the financial impact of PVC.
It found of the 20,661 cases reported in 2015 and 20,110 in 2016, 41 per cent of animals were euthanised.
Pet owners concerned about bringing their healthy animals into vet clinics have been advised to call ahead of their appointment to work out a plan with their local practitioner.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
