Deadly Parvovirus infecting Dogs in Pune, PMC in cooperation with Bluecross Hospital to provide free vaccination to stray pets
Mehab Qureshi
Pune, June 18, 2020: Parvovirus is every new puppy and dog lover’s worst nightmares. It can make a healthy puppy fall fatally ill in just a few weeks. As many as three puppies have died in the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) area alone due to the disease. Nearby localities like Khadki, Bopodi and Shivajinagar have reported Parvo cases in recent days.
“We had another case yesterday from Khadki, but the puppy passed away. There are 2-3 more puppies in the same area, and we think they might be at the risk of infection as well. There are cases that we are taking care of, there are a lot more cases around Pune that other volunteers are reporting. Many wards are full of Parvovirus patients,” said Animal feeder, Mihika Awate, who works with Foursforce NGO.
Henceforth, all the owners, as well as feeders, have been advised to be aware of this lethal virus, how to prevent it, and what to do if a puppy is found infected?
What is Parvovirus?
Parvovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal disease that mostly affects unvaccinated puppies and adult dogs as well. The most common signs are vomiting and continuous diarrhoea. Not only the virus attacks the intestines, but bone marrow as well. Some severe symptoms include blood in the stools, loss of appetite and lethargy, all of which might prove to be fatal.
How do dogs contract Parvo?
This virus is usually spread with weather changes. It can be easily transferred by the paws of dogs, people’s shoes or other items contaminated with the virus, like bedding. It is transferred in the faeces of infected animals, which makes it hard to prevent your pet from coming in contact, especially on walks in parks. It is essential to understand that you don’t need a direct dog to dog contact for a dog to become infected with Parvovirus.
How to prevent Parvovirus?
- Vaccination
- Limiting your puppy or unvaccinated dog’s exposure to other dogs
- Regularly wash bedding and food/water dishes
- Don’t walk puppies in parks and outside your home until they receive their full complement of puppy vaccines
How can the virus be treated?
Vets may prescribe a series of medications, which include antibiotics. Supportive fluids, nutrition and medicine will only save the puppy’s life. Hence, taking your dog to the vet is the best thing you can do for him. Also, most puppies that survive the first three-four days will most likely make a complete recovery, usually taking around one week. Your vet will walk you through the recovery process and tailor a recovery plan that suits your puppy’s needs.
Good news for Dog feeders
Talking to Punekarnews.in PMC veterinary officer Dr Prakash Wagh said, “We don’t have the facility to vaccinate dogs infected with Parvo, we only provide sterilisation services to the stray dogs. However, we are associated with Blue Cross Hospital, Keshavnagar Mundhwa, where the stray animals infected with Parvo are treated for free of cost.”
How can this service be availed?
You can immediately call PMC coordinator Vijay Ovhal if you find/see any dog infected with Parvo at +919689931706. Treatment would be free as well as the assigned staff from PMC would come and pick the dog from the location it resides in.
