 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Services
Letter to Editor 2
Dangerous Dogs Act
Cat and Kitten Vaccinations
Puppy Milk Replacer
Pet Survey
Interesting Links
Links for Veterinarians
Interesting Pictures
Conscent Form
Boarding Services
Boarding Check List
Article
Software
Vet Care Management ProgramVeterinary Clinic
Home PageAbout usVeterinary, care
SpayPost Surgical Care For a Spayarticles on veterinary medicin
Letter to Editor 1|
|
| Letter to editor |
| published June 7th 2001 Trinidad Express |
| ||||||
| Sanjay Ramdath DVM Central Animal Hospital #77 Main Rd. Montrose Chaguanas. Thursday 31 May 2001 Dear Editor: I would by pleased if you shared this article with your readers as a public service. We have been waiting for the rainy season with bated breath. Now finally our water crisis seems at an end. Yet several animal health problems have to be considered with the increase rainfall. There is one problem I would like to address as a matter of importance. With the rain comes the explosion in the number of flies. These leads to the increased transmission of the most widespread and deadly canine disease Canine ParvoVirus. Spread of Canine Parvo Virus The virus is a very hardy one. It can remain infective for longer the 5 months. It can be spread via clothes, infected water and food, sullied kennels, vermin and mostly by insects. Cleaning with bleach ( sodium hypochlorite ) is the most effective and common way to inactivate the virus. Other common household chemicals may not be effective (except for dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.) The virus particles can be shed from infected animals from as early as 2 days after infection (even before signs of ill health are seen) and can continue up to 3 weeks after infection (even after the animal seems to recover). Signs of Infection The disease is most deadly to puppies under the age of 6 months. Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador retrievers are more susceptible than other breeds. Yet ALL breeds are susceptible! The most common form of the disease is the intestinal form known as enteritis. Enteritis is characterized by vomiting (often severe), diarrhea, dehydration, dark or bloody foul smelling feces. The disease can progress rapidly leading to death in as little as 2 days after these signs are seen. Secondary bacterial infections, worms and other viruses can make the disease worse and slow recovery. Treatment The treatment of the disease is mostly supportive. We recommend intra-venous electrolyte fluids, anti vomiting drugs, anti bacterial and deworming. . Undertaking the treatment of affected dogs and puppies without professional veterinary care is very difficult. Even with treatment death rates among severely affected animals is high. Control and Prevention There is no substitute for proper cleaning and sanitation and timely immunizations. Remove all uneaten food from your puppy as soon as possible. Wash all utensils thoroughly and leave to dry. Clean the surroundings well. Rid the area of vermin. Control flies well. Finally consult your Veterinarian on timely vaccinations and deworming of your pup. At Central Animal Hospital we start vaccinations at 6 weks of age and continue until 5 months of age. For Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador retrievers we start at 4 weeks of age. Sanjay Ramdath DVM |
| Chaguanas. |
|
. |
| Visitors: 00991 |