The worse epidemic of canine Parvo experienced in the last 22 years is plaguing the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha.
The animal care organisation says is it the highest number of cases experienced since the existence of the clinic.
Canine Parvo virus is a highly contagious viral illness that specifically affects dogs. The illness spreads through feces of infected dogs and can often become fatal once caught.
Unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four month are the most susceptible.
Common symptoms include: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and loss of appetite.
“On average our clinic admits 14 Parvo patients per month. In the past month we admitted 45 patients,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Manager.
Owners can prevent the onset of this disease by vaccinating their dogs. Puppies should be vaccinated at six weeks and have a second shot a month later and their third a month after that. After the initial three shots a booster shot is required each year to keep the illness at bay.
“We currently have 16 pets with Parvo at our clinic. Our Parvo isolation unit, which only caters for 7 pets, is full to the brim. As a result we have changed our distemper isolation unit into a temporary Parvo unit too. We have also had to place cages outside the units for extra patients,” says du Plessis.
Due to a recent loss of funding the Mzananda Animal Clinic is also struggling to deal with the sheer influx of cases.
“We’ve calculated that it has been costing us R1273 per parvo dog per day so far. Each dog stays with us for approximately 5 days resulting in a cost of R6365 per dog,” says du Plessis. “We would really appreciate any donations towards our current Parvo influx.”
Animals-lovers or locals looking to support the clinic in any way during this difficult time can contact them at the details below.
[email protected] or 021 367 6001.
For donations are Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Standard Bank, 075595710, Rondebosch, Branch Code: 025009, Reference: Parvo +Your Name
Picture: Unsplash