Bendigo puppy deaths spark parvovirus warning

Myvet Strathfieldsaye veterinarian Susan Bibby characterised it as “an incredibly contagious virus” that could be transferred directly between dogs or lay dormant in parks, grassland and backyards for months.

She strongly recommended dogs be vaccinated, but warned they would still be vulnerable until two weeks after a full program of inoculations had been completed.

Dr Bibby said those unsure of the vaccination status of their dog should check with their vet.

Dr Bibby’s practice is caring for one of nine puppies who came down with parvovirus over the weekend.

The puppies came to Chally Animal Rescue last week from two different litters, neither of which had come in contact with each other.

Two of the puppies were transferred to a property affiliated with foster service Jemima’s Gift before any of the nine began showing symptoms.

In total, five died between Friday and Monday.

All nine were too young to be fully immunised against the highly contagious disease, spokeswomen from both services said. 

The puppies were estimated to be between six and eight weeks old. Dr Bibby said vets would give either two or three rounds of injections to puppies between the ages of six and 16 weeks-of-age.

Chally Animal Rescue’s spokeswoman suspected the outbreak could be traced back to a pound, as well as a rural property where several puppies were rescued.

Both organisations have been left with vet bills running into the thousands of dollars.

Jemima’s Gift president Fran Heavyside said their vet bill would be over $3500, though the service had received a number of donations that would help offset the cost.

Chally Animal Rescue’s operator was taking out a bank loan and anticipated vet bills of at least $8000.

However, it was the emotional toll that was hitting the hardest.

“The vet bills were not the issue. I just felt like I had failed (the puppies),” Chally’s operator said.

She said the surviving puppies were recovering at veterinary practices throughout Bendigo.

Both spokeswomen said the services did not plan on keeping any more dogs at the properties sick puppies had been housed at for fear of further infection.

The deaths came weeks after researchers linked to the University of Sydney began surveying vets on canine parvovirus, which they described as “vastly under-reported”.

Veterinary scientist Mark Kelman said researchers were still collecting data but already they had uncovered more cases than previously thought.

The researchers aimed to gauge the disease’s prevalence and severity in Australia.

“We have a national surveillance system that only picks up about 10 per cent of cases. There are veterinary clinics that log cases with the system, but certainly not all cases,” he said.

Dr Kelman hoped to use data and other information provided by Australian vets to implement a system that could help reduce parvovirus and help tackle outbreaks.

Vets who would like to know more about Dr Kelman’s research can contact him at kelmanscientific@gmail.com.