http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120119-322745.html
ASIAONE
NEWS
SINGAPORE
Two dogs at SPCA hit by deadly virus
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my paper
Thursday, Jan 19, 2012
THE Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has closed its holding-and quarantine area after two dogs there were found to be infected with a virus that is highly contagious among dogs.
SPCA announced the closure in a Facebook posting on Tuesday and added that it would not be taking in new dogs until the virus had been eliminated.
The germ, known as the parvovirus, is transmitted through contact with infected dog faeces, soil, vomit or toys. The strain that infects dogs does not infect people.
The symptoms, which include lethargy, vomiting, fever and bloody diarrhoea, usually show up after five to 10 days of infection. If left untreated, the virus can turn deadly when it affects the heart.
Although it is known to affect dogs of all ages, puppies between six and 20 weeks old are more susceptible to the virus as their immune systems are not fully developed.
SPCA executive director Corinne Fong told my paper that the virus was detected on Monday.
She said SPCA staff will be "thoroughly disinfecting the kennels" before taking in more dogs, a process expected to take up to two weeks.
In the future, SPCA will look out for signs of such infection among its dogs, and vaccinate them as soon as possible.
Ms Fong said dogs that have been vaccinated against the virus are still up for adoption since they are more resistant to infection.
Veterinarians said the likelihood of a vaccinated dog getting infected was lower than that of a non-vaccinated dog.
Dr Brian Loon, principal veterinary surgeon at Amber Veterinary Practice in Siglap, said there is no specific cure for the virus, but added that there are ways to treat it, including hospitalisation and administering antibiotics. Dr Loon, who has five years of experience, said he sees just three to five cases of parvovirus infection each year.
Other animal-welfare groups are expecting to receive more inquiries about dog adoption because of SPCA's decision to stop taking in dogs temporarily.
"I wouldn't be surprised because people who want to put their dogs up for adoption are always going to find ways to do so," said Mr Ricky Yeo, president of Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD).
He added that ASD has never had a case of parvovirus infection at its Lim Chu Kang premises since it started operations in 2000.
On Tuesday, the Animal Lovers League used its Facebook page to urge people to help SPCA "as (the society) cannot take in new animals for the time being".
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore said in a statement that premises in which infec- tion has occurred should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, especially because the virus "can survive well in the environment".
It also advised owners of premises hit by the virus to "isolate the infected animals, ensure proper housekeeping and educate customers on proper care for puppies".
ASIAONE
NEWS
SINGAPORE
Two dogs at SPCA hit by deadly virus
Tweet
my paper
Thursday, Jan 19, 2012
THE Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has closed its holding-and quarantine area after two dogs there were found to be infected with a virus that is highly contagious among dogs.
SPCA announced the closure in a Facebook posting on Tuesday and added that it would not be taking in new dogs until the virus had been eliminated.
The germ, known as the parvovirus, is transmitted through contact with infected dog faeces, soil, vomit or toys. The strain that infects dogs does not infect people.
The symptoms, which include lethargy, vomiting, fever and bloody diarrhoea, usually show up after five to 10 days of infection. If left untreated, the virus can turn deadly when it affects the heart.
Although it is known to affect dogs of all ages, puppies between six and 20 weeks old are more susceptible to the virus as their immune systems are not fully developed.
SPCA executive director Corinne Fong told my paper that the virus was detected on Monday.
She said SPCA staff will be "thoroughly disinfecting the kennels" before taking in more dogs, a process expected to take up to two weeks.
In the future, SPCA will look out for signs of such infection among its dogs, and vaccinate them as soon as possible.
Ms Fong said dogs that have been vaccinated against the virus are still up for adoption since they are more resistant to infection.
Veterinarians said the likelihood of a vaccinated dog getting infected was lower than that of a non-vaccinated dog.
Dr Brian Loon, principal veterinary surgeon at Amber Veterinary Practice in Siglap, said there is no specific cure for the virus, but added that there are ways to treat it, including hospitalisation and administering antibiotics. Dr Loon, who has five years of experience, said he sees just three to five cases of parvovirus infection each year.
Other animal-welfare groups are expecting to receive more inquiries about dog adoption because of SPCA's decision to stop taking in dogs temporarily.
"I wouldn't be surprised because people who want to put their dogs up for adoption are always going to find ways to do so," said Mr Ricky Yeo, president of Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD).
He added that ASD has never had a case of parvovirus infection at its Lim Chu Kang premises since it started operations in 2000.
On Tuesday, the Animal Lovers League used its Facebook page to urge people to help SPCA "as (the society) cannot take in new animals for the time being".
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore said in a statement that premises in which infec- tion has occurred should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, especially because the virus "can survive well in the environment".
It also advised owners of premises hit by the virus to "isolate the infected animals, ensure proper housekeeping and educate customers on proper care for puppies".
