Parvovirus cases rise in Kimberley with vets treating up to 12 dogs a week
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A Kimberley vet says there has been a "massive" surge in the number of dogs diagnosed with a potentially deadly virus in two northern Western Australian towns.
Parvovirus is a preventable and infectious disease spread through contaminated environments such as parks, pathways and soil.
It can also be transferred through direct contact between dogs and can lead to severe vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration.
Vet Scott Davis said the disease was "rife" across Broome and Derby, 2,000 kilometres north of Perth.
"It basically wipes out the lining of your [dog's] gut," he said.
"They're not eating, they look really sad and miserable.
"It's horrible to treat and it's horrible to see."
Vets have reported up to 12 cases a week in Derby and up to five a week in Broome, compared to recent figures of one to two per month.
Dr Davis said case numbers peaked every year between June and September.
He said a high number of unvaccinated dogs across Broome made it hard to get rid of the virus.
"We'll go months without seeing it," he said.
"It's really bad at the moment."
Her owner, Sheridan Jaffrey, said she believed Spotti picked up the virus in her backyard through contaminated soil.
Ms Jaffrey noticed blood in Spotti's stool and behavioural changes, including lethargy and fewer social interactions with her other dogs.
"She wasn't playing or eating," she said.
"I ended up just lifting her up to see if she was alright and she was kind of like hanging.
"I kept a close look after that, and by the second day, she wasn't doing much at all, and I started to get really worried it might have been parvo."
Ms Jaffrey said the dog was not vaccinated due to the cost of immunisation.
It took the dog about two weeks to recover.
He said that while some dogs could recover at home, almost half of them did not survive due to dehydration.
"They're so sick, they're not drinking and they can't keep anything down so they're vomiting," Dr Davis said.
"They've got this horrible haemorrhagic diarrhoea; it's an awful disease."
Dr Davis said the only way for pet owners to prevent the virus was to ensure their dogs received three parvo vaccinations as a puppy.
Adult dogs that have not been vaccinated require only one dose.
"Vaccinations are a lot cheaper than treatment," Dr Davis said.
"Treating parvo's horrendously expensive."
He said owners who bought their dogs from a breeder should ask for proof of vaccination.
"Find out and don't be afraid to press the owners or the breeders for that information, or at least where they got it, because you can phone the vet and find out," Dr Davis said.
By Esse Deves
Parvovirus is a preventable and infectious disease spread through contaminated environments such as parks, pathways and soil.
It can also be transferred through direct contact between dogs and can lead to severe vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration.
Vet Scott Davis said the disease was "rife" across Broome and Derby, 2,000 kilometres north of Perth.
"It basically wipes out the lining of your [dog's] gut," he said.
Spotti spent almost a week at Broome's Veterinary Hospital after being diagnosed with parvovirus. (Supplied: Sheridan Jaffrey)
"They're not eating, they look really sad and miserable.
"It's horrible to treat and it's horrible to see."
Vets have reported up to 12 cases a week in Derby and up to five a week in Broome, compared to recent figures of one to two per month.
Dr Davis said case numbers peaked every year between June and September.
He said a high number of unvaccinated dogs across Broome made it hard to get rid of the virus.
"We'll go months without seeing it," he said.
"It's really bad at the moment."
Spotti survives deadly disease
Broome cross-breed Spotti spent almost a week recovering in an isolation unit at Broome Veterinary Hospital after being diagnosed with parvovirus at five months old.Her owner, Sheridan Jaffrey, said she believed Spotti picked up the virus in her backyard through contaminated soil.
Ms Jaffrey noticed blood in Spotti's stool and behavioural changes, including lethargy and fewer social interactions with her other dogs.
"She wasn't playing or eating," she said.
It took about two weeks for Spotti (right) to fully recover from parvovirus. (Supplied: Sheridan Jaffrey)
"I ended up just lifting her up to see if she was alright and she was kind of like hanging.
"I kept a close look after that, and by the second day, she wasn't doing much at all, and I started to get really worried it might have been parvo."
Ms Jaffrey said the dog was not vaccinated due to the cost of immunisation.
It took the dog about two weeks to recover.
Parvo prevention
Dr Davis said with aggressive veterinary treatment, the survival rate for infected dogs was about 80 per cent.He said that while some dogs could recover at home, almost half of them did not survive due to dehydration.
Spotti has recovered from parvovirus. (Supplied: Sheridan Jaffrey)
"They're so sick, they're not drinking and they can't keep anything down so they're vomiting," Dr Davis said.
"They've got this horrible haemorrhagic diarrhoea; it's an awful disease."
Dr Davis said the only way for pet owners to prevent the virus was to ensure their dogs received three parvo vaccinations as a puppy.
"Vaccinations are a lot cheaper than treatment," Dr Davis said.
"Treating parvo's horrendously expensive."
He said owners who bought their dogs from a breeder should ask for proof of vaccination.
"Find out and don't be afraid to press the owners or the breeders for that information, or at least where they got it, because you can phone the vet and find out," Dr Davis said.
By Esse Deves
