Urgent advice has been issued to dog owners after more than 10 dogs were killed by a canine virus spreading in eastern Victoria.
The disease, which can be lethal if left untreated, has been spreading in the Latrobe Valley with more than 10 dogs killed in recent weeks.
RSPCA Victoria describes parvovirus as an illness which attacks the intestines of dogs and destroys white blood cells.
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness and fever.
Dogs in eastern Victoria are at risk over the spread of canine parvovirus. Picture: News Corp Australia
Dogs can be vaccinated against the disease, however, unvaccinated dogs are left vulnerable to the disease as it can spread through traces of dog poo left in public places.
Moe Veterinarian Center vet Dr Laura Thorbecke told 7News the risk to dogs in the area was ongoing and could hang around for a while.
“Once it’s out there in the community, it can be quite long-lasting. So, once an environment is contaminated with parvovirus — via an infected dog defecating, for example, at the dog park — it can be present for a really long time,” she said.
“People walking in the street can then bring home contamination on their footwear to dogs at home. So, even dogs that aren’t seeing other dogs, or dogs that aren’t leaving their property, can still be at risk.
“If people don’t remain vigilant, this could be an ongoing problem for our area for quite a while.”
Treatment for a dog infected with parvovirus can cost thousands with owners sometimes opting to euthanize their pet due to the high price.
Expert dog trainer Helen McDonald says labor shortages in Australia are concerning as farmers continue requiring working dogs to make livestock more cooperative and “calmer”. “The labor shortages in Australia are extremely concerning, we’ve got to look at the average age of farmers, in their 60s,” Ms McDonald told Sky News host Andrew Bolt. “So we’ve got to prepare a young workforce for in 10 years’ time so when we’ve got a big percentage of farmers looking to retire – we’ve got to encourage young people to come into the industry. “Dogs are fantastic for educating your livestock to be calmer and more cooperative and that way they are easier to work.” Ms McDonald sat down with Mr Bolt to discuss farmers’ needs for working dogs.
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According to research by veterinarian Dr. Mark Kelman in 2018, the overall reported euthanasia rate of dogs with parvovirus across more than 40,000 cases between 2015 and 2016, was 41 percent.
Vaccination for the disease costs about $100 at Traralgon Vet Center in Latrobe Valley, costing significantly less than treatment for unvaccinated dogs which get infected.
Treatment also does not guarantee dogs will survive the parvovirus.
Dogs can also seem healthy during the incubation period of the virus, before it begins to take hold.
Pet owners have been advised to call veterinary clinics ahead if they are concerned about bringing their dog in.
