NST - Heated up over deadly dog virus

JOHOR BARU: A warning has been issued to dog owners about the spread of a deadly viral disease.
Puppies have a higher risk of contracting parvovirus, or parvo, which kills the dividing cells in a dog's body, causing bloody diarrhoea, lethargy and loss of appetite.Johor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chairman Dr Edwin Singam told New Straits Times yesterday there had been a recent flare up of the disease, partly because of the hot weather."In the 1980s, the disease was always fatal but now there is a chance of recovery if the dog is given early treatment". Dr Singam, a veterinarian, said as with the common cold in humans, there is no direct medication for parvo.
"An infected puppy has to be quarantined to prevent the spread of the disease to other canines," Dr Singam said, adding that he had just visited an animal shelter where 34 puppies were diagnosed with the disease.The Companion Animal Rescue Effort Society (CARES), an animal shelter in Lima Kedai near here, is one of several in the city which have found the disease in its dogs.CARES founder Joseph Chia said about 30 per cent of the 300 rescued dogs at the shelter had been stricken."Parvo normally spreads after a wet weather spell, followed by days of intense heat," he said.

By NST - Chuah Bee Kim