Context:

Nearly 2,000 pet and stray dogs in Amravati city were affected by canine parvovirus virus last month with veterinarians cautioning pet owners against a severe outbreak.

What is Parvovirus?

=> It is a highly contagious viral disease affecting puppies and dogs.

=> It affects the intestinal tract of canines with puppies being more susceptible.

=> Bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, drastic weight loss, dehydration and lethargy are some of the symptoms.

=> The virus has reported a 90 per cent mortality rate.

This virus was discovered in 1967 and has rapidly become a serious threat to canine health. This is primarily due to the fact that the virus is hard to kill, can live for a long time in the environment, and is shed in large quantities by infected dogs.

How does the virus spread in dogs?

Through direct contact with an infected dog or by indirect contact with a contaminated object, including the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.

What’s causing increase in the number of cases?

=> The recent rise in cases of Parvovirus in pets is due to the Covid-19 pandemic that compelled many pet owners to avoid timely vaccination of their dogs.

=> Also, due to the non-implementation of the animal birth control programme, dog vaccination and rabies in the last three years has led to rising parvovirus cases in street dogs in the city.

Treatment:

Parvovirus has no cure and inoculating a puppy or a dog gives them a fighting chance against the infection.