8 pet dogs in Dubai hit by killer virus

Dubai is home to 6,000 dogs.

Puppy owners in Dubai have been cautioned against a canine killer virus that has hit at least eight dogs in the emirate.
The British Veterinary Hospital has warned dog owners to vaccinate their pets against the "parvo" virus and know its symptoms to ensure early treatment.
The warning came after over 40 dog owners called the hospital over the last two weeks concerned about their pets displaying symptoms of parvo virus infection (parvo), one of the most prevalent diseases for canines and also one of the most deadly.
"Eight cases have been confirmed," the hospital said on Tuesday. However, the Dubai Municipality's Veterinary Services Section played down the alert and assured that there is no outbreak.
When contacted, the Principal Veterinary Specialist at the Section Dr. Louai Abdelrahman told Khaleej Times that there was no outbreak of parvo virus reported to the municipality.
He said the Section has developed a smart programme to monitor animal health and disease notification by private veterinary clinics, hospitals and animal owners.
And there is a programme to prevent the infection of dogs by parvo virus including vaccination, public awareness drives and monitoring the health status of the dog population, which according to him, is about 6,000 in Dubai.
"We are checking the details of the cases reported in this hospital. Eight cases might be from the same area or may belong to the same owner.We have not received cases from other clinics," he said.
Vaccination must
"However, we advise all dog owners to adhere to animal health care programme to protect their pets and follow hygienic methods in animal care and pet handling. The incidence of canine parvo virus infections can be reduced by early vaccination in young puppies."
The director of veterinary services at the hospital Dr. Sara Elliott said it is a problem brought to the environment through importation of puppies that are not properly vaccinated.
And all non-vaccinated dogs are at risk of catching the disease.
The common symptoms of parvo disease include repeated projectile vomiting, bloody and serious diarrhoea, with other symptoms being depression, loss of appetite and lethargy.
Parvo is found wherever dogs congregate, including parks, playgrounds, shelters, breeding and boarding kennels and dog shows and can be carried on the hair or feet of infected dogs, or on contaminated cages, shoes, or other objects.
The highly contagious viral disease attacks the intestinal track, white blood cells, and occasionally the heart and can be easily transmitted by fecal waste or vomit from infected dogs.
Incubation periods can be up to 12 days after exposure, and an infected dog may dehydrate rapidly due to loss of body fluids, which can cause death within 48 to 72 hours after symptoms first start, if left untreated.
The hospital added that there are three cases of distemper presented at the facility and the frequency of cases is increasing rapidly.
Whilst it can be spread in a similar form, distemper is a different disease and the symptoms can range from runny eyes and nose with cough through to diarrhoea, vomiting and neurological signs including seizures and death.
sajila@khaleejtimes.com