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PUBLIC SERVICE FOR DOGS,

SPIRO IS NOT

THE NAME
ANNOUNCEMENT OF A GREEK

TAKE-AWAY

RESTAURANT

infection may save an infected pup’s life.
In light of the recent disease outbreak Preventable! The treatment for parvo is

scares around SA, here's a quick reference very expensive, with no guarantee that the
dog will survive, yet an inexpensive series
guide to some of the common, deadly, yet of vaccinations can prevent the disease.
Young puppies should be vaccinated at
COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE diseases that 6 - 8 weeks of age, with at least 2 vaccines
(a month apart) after 10 weeks of age.
may be a threat to our pets in Jo’burg. Puppies should not be socialised with dogs
where their vaccination status is unknown,
until at least 2 weeks after their third
vaccination.
SPIROCERCOSIS (DOGS)
DISTEMPER (DOGS) Spirocerca lupi is the worm that kills, yet
Following an outbreak of distemper in Distemper is transmitted from dog to dog many dog parents aren’t familiar with
Knysna last year (which quickly moved to through direct, as well as indirect contact it. Additionally, only 2 parasite control
the Western Cape), vets countrywide are (eg. bowls, blankets, etc.) and may even be products currently on the market in SA are
reminding their clients to ensure that their airborne. effective in preventing it.

dogs' vaccinations are up to date.
Preventable! Ensure your dogs are seen S. lupi is a 5cm long worm that lives in the
Distemper is not new; in fact, it’s one of the annually by their vet and that you follow the oesophagus of a dog who has ingested it

oldest diseases to affect dogs. The canine vaccination recommendations to the letter. after swallowing dung beetles (the worm’s
distemper virus belongs to the same family intermediate host) or other small animals
as those that cause measles, mumps and CANINE PARVOVIRUS (DOGS) like birds, mice, lizards and frogs (transport

bronchiolitis in humans. Distemper affects CPA or “parvo” is the infamous puppy-killer hosts) that feed on these beetles. After
various body systems, hence its name, - it is usually seen in puppies aged between being ingested, S. lupi larvae hatch in
which derives from the Middle English term, 6 weeks and 6 months but adult dogs the dog’s stomach, migrate through the
distemperen, meaning “to upset the balance with lapsed vaccinations can also contract abdominal blood vessels to the aorta. Once
of the humours”. Symptoms are respiratory, the disease. The puppy starts showing mature, they move through the tissues of
gastrointestinal and neurological and symptoms within 5 days of being infected: the chest into the oesophagus, causing
include the following: listlessness, loss of appetite, vomiting and damage to those structures along the
• Diarrhoea and vomiting severe bloody diarrhoea. way, where they form large nodules. These
• Mucous discharge from the eyes and cause the typical respiratory symptoms
nose Parvo is unfortunately still very prevalent of spirocercosis (laboured breathing,
• Pneumonia (characterised by coughing in SA, due to the high numbers of coughing and retching), as well as the
and laboured breathing) unvaccinated pups. It is highly contagious, gastro-intestinal signs (difficulty swallowing,

• Hardening and thickening of paw pads making breeding kennels and welfare regurgitating food and loss of appetite). This
and nose leather shelters prime locations for it to thrive; the process generally takes 4 - 6 months but
• Muscle spasms and inability to co- virus may also survive in the environment may be as quick as 2,5 months. The female
ordinate movement for up to a year, so it is inadvisable to bring worms lay their eggs through holes in the
• Seizures with salivation and jaw a new pup onto a property where parvo nodules, and these pass through the dog’s
movements (referred to as “chewing has been diagnosed for at least that long, intestines and out via the poop - to be eaten

gum fits”) regardless of the steps taken to eliminate it. by another dung beetle, or to be eaten by
• Partial or complete paralysis. Parvo is spread through contact, as well as another dog....
via the oral-faecal route, which means that
There is no cure for this disease and the pups sniffing an infected pup’s behind or This very invasive migration path through

small number of dogs that survive the initial poop could be infected. the body may cause any of the following
symptoms are at risk of developing severe symptoms:
neurological problems up to years later. By There is no known cure for parvovirus, • Vomiting/regurgitation
the time this disease becomes neurological but intensive treatment in hospital • Enlarged salivary glands
(ie. seizures, self-trauma and paralysis), the focused around managing the symptoms, • Weight loss
animal cannot be saved and euthanasia is supporting the dog’s ability to outlast the • Weakness
sadly the only option. virus and preventing secondary bacterial • Pale gums and lips

Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 2 • 2019 47