June 2019 - Recently at Northern Territory Veterinary Services in Katherine and Alice Springs, we have seen a large outbreak of canine parvoviral diarrhoea including deaths of some animals. We have seen several cases in the past week, and there would be many more that do not make it into the clinic. This is a tragedy, as this life threatening disease is easily prevented in most cases by simple vaccination.

Parvoviral infection must be considered as a possibility in any young dog with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, or any adult dog that is overdue for vaccination with similar symptoms. Please note the new viral strain 2c can infect dogs that have previously been vaccinated but are overdue. We urge all dog owners to get their animals vaccinated for this disease. Prevention is far better and cheaper than treatment for this horrible disease. ​Regular vaccination ensures that your dog is protected.

Additionally, it is possible for cats to contract the 2c strain, so we urge owners to ensure their cats are up to date with their vaccinations too. 

Please note: Parvovirus poses no viral risk to humans, horses and livestock

The virus multiplies in the dog into the millions and is shed into the environment through the vomit and diarrhoea of the dog. Wherever the vomit and diarrhoea lies, the ground becomes contaminated. The virus can survive in the environment for up to 7 months, even after the vomit or diarrhoea has been cleaned away. Only bleach or special disinfectants can destroy the virus in the environment.

​It is then, very easy for someone to walk through these areas and pick the virus on their shoes or clothing and spread it further. Dogs walking through these contaminated areas can pick it up on their feet and when they lick or clean their feet, they then can become infected with this virus.

It takes about 4 to 7 days from the time a dog is in contact with the virus to full signs of infection. Please note that during the first 4 days of incubation, dogs can still spread the virus.

Fortunately, parvovirus in dogs is a treatable disease and if caught early, can be cured, especially with the advent of a number of new treatments, but this can be expensive. In our clinic, we have a greater than 95% success rate with intensive treatment, but the dog usually has to be hospitalised for several days for intensive care and requires multiple medications.

Home treatment for parvo infection is a bad idea when compared to hospitalisation and intensive care. The death rate rises substantially, and the profuse diarrhoea and vomiting will lead to heavy viral contamination in the home. ​Without proper treatment, a dog can become weak, septic and eventually will die. ​

This is a new strain of parvovirus that has been seen in Australia and is particularly nasty. Reports have indicated that adult dogs that have previously been vaccinated but are overdue have been infected. The vaccine companies have advised that each of their parvovirus vaccines do cover for this new strain. Regular vaccination will ensure that your dog is protected.

Not many disinfectants will kill the virus, except for bleach and special disinfectants. If using bleach, mix 1 part bleach to 30 parts water and mop the floors. Allow 30 minutes contact time to ensure the virus has been destroyed.

Once better, your dog will no longer be infected with the virus, but they should be considered contagious for approximately a month as they may have virus particles still on their fur and skin. They will no longer shed the virus. It should be noted that they will be protected for life against future infections with parvovirus, but it is still important to vaccinate your dog for other life threatening diseases.

The virus can survive in the environment for up to 7 months. So if you are getting a new dog, and there has been no parvovirus in your yard for more than 7 months, it can be considered safe. However, you should still vaccinate your dog to ensure that they are protected, as virus can still be carried on your shoes and clothing if you were in contact with the virus elsewhere.

Dr Alex Burleigh BSc(Vet) BVSc

The "Build-Up" is coming to the top end, and soon the tropical storms and cane toads will be upon us.
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Cane toads pose a serious threat to our pets with poisonings amongst dogs now very common. Over the past two decades in Katherine, we have seen the establishment of a strong cane toad population, and new pets to the Northern Territory may not be familiar with this pest.

Be careful, there are a few dodgy urban myths about toad poisonings. The most concerning one is that giving the dog activated charcoal can help. This is not true because the toxin is absorbed through the roof of the mouth. The charcoal will have no effect on the absorbed toxin. If the dog is shaking or having seizures and is fed charcoal, the dog may accidentally inhale the charcoal and this will cause dangerous breathing problems.

​It is recommended that once treated, your dog be checked over to ensure there are no after effects. If you are a long way from a vet, you should still call one as soon as possible to get any further advice.
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Last but not least..
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One last bit of advice… if you are unfortunate enough for your dog to go through a poisoning episode, after your dog recovers, please get rid of the toad. Preventing contact with toads is often difficult. Some animals will learn to avoid them as the poison doesn’t taste very nice, others will keep going back. One colleague in North Queensland had the same dog come in four times in the one night for toad poisoning.  So, if you see your pet playing with a toad you should remove the toad immediately, and observe your pet closely for at least the next hour. Drinking bowls should be placed up off the ground and checked and changed regularly or a safer alternative is small automatic waterers mounted off the ground.
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Lets just hope they find a way to get rid of these toads soon.

The Dry season is finally here, or at least attempting to be, so as the waters run off (in reality they have already run off), we start to see a range of hook related issues in our dogs. Can I just say out from the start, hooks and dogs don't mix. If you want to go fishing, it's probably best to leave your dog behind. They'll scare the fish away, or at worst, attract a loving six metre salt water handbag (or for those not in the know - a crocodile!!). But our biggest concern is hooks and dogs. Dogs can either get them hooked in a paw, in a lip, or even worse, swallow them.

allows the vet to gently manipulate the hook from the dogs stomach using specialised equipment. If you happen to pull the string, it could lodge the hook in the stomach wall or even worse, the oesophagus which could lead to complicated surgery. So please leave the hook alone.

So hopefully this gives you a good guide if this emergency should ever occur, but avoidance is always the best option. So leave your beloved fur friend at home if you decide to go fisihing. Your dog will appreciate not having to be driven to the vet in the middle of the night, and it will be a lot more helpful on the hip pocket.