Veterinarians have issued urgent advice to dog owners after a virus with a mortality rate of more than 40 per cent killed more than 10 dogs in just a few weeks.
The disease, canine parvovirus (CVP), affects dogs around the world, but is known to remain in infected areas for long periods of time.
Fortunately, PVC can be vaccinated.
Victorians living in the 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 rapidly through unvaccinated dogs coming into contact with infected dogs, their droppings, or contaminated surfaces.
Veterinarians have issued a warning for dog owners to get vaccinated against canine parvovirus due to an outbreak in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley that has claimed the lives of more than 10 dogs so far.
The disease is often transmitted into households through the soles of people’s shoes, meaning that dogs that do not come into contact with other dogs or go outside are still at risk.
PVC, nicknamed “parvo” in Australia, destroys the stomach and intestines of an infected dog, causing gastroenteritis and dehydration.
Symptoms include lethargy, depression, and lack of appetite, followed by high fever, vomiting, and hemorrhagic diarrhea.
said Moe Veterinary Center veterinarian Dr. Laura Thorbecke. 7news she believes the current PVC outbreak in the Latrobe Valley is the worst she has ever seen.
‘Once it is available in the community, it can be quite long-lasting. “Therefore, once an environment is contaminated with parvovirus (through an infected dog defecating, for example, at the dog park), it can remain present for a long time,” Dr. Thorbecke said.
He also believes the actual rate of community PVC infection is much higher since many people do not report their dogs as sick.
Since it is almost impossible to avoid PVC in a contaminated area, Dr. Thorbecke recommends dog owners make sure their dogs are vaccinated.
“If people don’t remain vigilant, this could be a persistent problem in our area for quite some time,” he said.
Since it is almost impossible to avoid PVC in a contaminated area, Dr. Laura Thorbecke recommends dog owners make sure their dogs are vaccinated.
A survey conducted in 2020 at 20 veterinary practices in five Australian states examined stool samples from 79 infected dogs, ranging in age from one to 96 months, with an average age of four months.
Only 3.7 percent of puppies were up to date on their vaccination schedules, 49 percent were not fully vaccinated, and 47.2 percent were unvaccinated.
Of the 20,000 PVC cases recorded in Australia each year, almost half result in deaths.
Dr. Thorbecke said dogs that undergo recommended annual checkups “will almost always receive 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 around $100.
While the vaccine may seem expensive, PVC treatment will cost dog owners thousands of dollars.
Dr Thorbecke said the “majority” of dogs diagnosed with PVC are euthanized due to the high cost of treatment.
“It’s a really sad reality,” he said.
PVC often spreads in homes through the soles of people’s shoes, meaning that dogs that do not come into contact with other dogs or go outside are still at risk.
In 2018, more than 530 Australian veterinary practices were surveyed to determine the financial impact of PVC.
It found that of the 20,661 cases reported in 2015 and 20,110 in 2016, 41 percent of the animals were euthanized.
Pet owners concerned about taking their healthy animals to veterinary clinics have been advised to call ahead of their appointment to make a plan with their local doctor.