Vets are warning that the Canine Parvo Virus (CPV) is once again making its way across the Western Cape and urged dog owners to vaccinate their pets.
Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha first alerted the dog community of the spike on their social media pages and website last week when they began to see an increase in Parvo cases at their clinic.
Dr. Guy Fyvie, Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s veterinary advisor, says: “CPV is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their faeces.
“Dogs become infected through oral contact with CPV in faeces, infected soil, clothes, hands, shoes, and insects (flies).
“Studies have shown that infection may also be spread by wind.”
Susan Wishart, general manager at Mdzananda Animal Clinic, says the increase in CPV cases in summer is because the virus survives better in warm temperatures.
“Once Parvo is in the environment, it is extremely persistent and yards, furniture, blankets, beds, etc must be thoroughly disinfected with F10 or bleach,” she says.
Vaccination is the only means of CPV prevention.
Dr. Fyvie advises that puppies should receive their first vaccination from six weeks of age, followed by two more at nine and 12 weeks.
The virus causes severe damage to a dog’s intestinal wall.
Signs of the illness includes a loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea, lethargy and a dull, glassy-eyed stare.
Dr. Fyvie says while certain breeds appear to be more susceptible to CPV such as Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Pit bulls, the virus is not breed-specific and can affect any dog.