GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Distemper is still a huge problem in the Southern Cape. This was confirmed by Garden Route SPCA senior inspector, Salomé Bruyns.
According to Bruyns the current hotspots in the area are Golden Valley in Blanco and Uniondale.
A lot of cases also came from Syferfontein and Thembalethu. "We collect distemper dogs almost on a daily basis. We also still struggle with distemper and parvo in Asla Park and Kwanonqaba in Mossel Bay," she said. Although no exact figures could be confirmed, Bruyns warned that the situation is far from over and that the number of cases of canine distemper and parvovirus are rapidly increasing.
Bruyns warned that if your dog is showing any of the symptoms you should contact your vet immediately. Do not take the animal into the vet reception area until you are called, as both the conditions are highly contagious.
"The only way to fight these horrible diseases is to make sure that your pet's vaccinations are up to date," Bruyns said. "Our inspectors are picking up sick animals daily, but we have put all protocols in place to prevent contamination of our kennels."
Symptoms of parvovirus
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Vomiting
- Severe, often bloody diarrhoea
- Symptoms of canine distemper
- Watery to pus-like discharge from eyes
- Fever, nasal discharge
- Coughing
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite and vomiting.
The virus is spread through the air, and by direct or indirect contact (i.e. utensils, bedding) with an infected animal.
It attacks the respiratory, urogenital, and nervous systems. Dogs that are not vaccinated that come into any kind of contact with an infected animal are at particularly high risk of contracting the disease.
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