Veterinarians on the Coast are warning of a potential outbreak of parvovirus, which is highly contagious and deadly to dogs.
"A few cases of parvovirus positive dogs have been confirmed on the Sunshine Coast. The parvovirus is a highly virulent, nasty gastro-intestinal virus that leads to the death of small intestinal cells. The sickness that results can kill dogs, especially unvaccinated puppies," said Dr. Hershel Frimer with the Eagle Ridge Veterinary Hospital.
Parvo is the abbreviated term for canine parvovirus. It is passed between dogs by direct or indirect contact with their feces. Infected dogs will show signs of severe diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sluggishness and fever. Canines will begin to show symptoms seven to 10 days after being exposed to the virus, which can survive for months in the environment.
"Dogs don't even have to be together. It's fecal and oral contamination, so if a dog poos there, even a month ago, and an unvaccinated dog just sniffs the area, that could be it," Frimer said.
There is no cure for parvo, and infected dogs often die. Some statistics say that mortality can reach 91 per cent in untreated cases.
Treatment for parvo includes administering fluids intravenously and giving pain killers, while antibiotics may be used to prevent secondary infections. Even with treatment, many dogs succumb to the virus.
Frimer said the deaths are needless because a simple vaccine for about $30 makes dogs immune from the virus for up to three years.
"Immunity can last up to three years or so, but every animal is different, so everybody with a pet should talk to their vet about it," Frimer said. "Because the virus lasts so long in the environment, vaccination is key to prevention. The Sunshine Coast is now contaminated, and virus particles will be in the environment, so all unvaccinated dogs are at risk."
