Our Correspondent
Imphal, Dec. 21 (EMN): A deadly virus called Parvovirus, a fatal illness in dogs has taking toll in Imphal and other parts of Manipur and the rate of infection is on the rise in the last five years, according to veterinary doctors in Imphal.
Lack awareness on the treatment for disease has put the dogs mostly below one year at the risk. The population of dogs including the foreign breeds are on the rise in Manipur, the doctors said.
Parvovirus being an airborne disease has already affected several dogs mostly below six months of age in Imphal and other areas since the past one month.
This was evident from the number of dogs that were brought to the state veterinary department run veterinary hospital at Sanjenthong in Imphal. There are half a dozen popular dog care centres in the state capital and sources claimed most of the these centre were also witnessing a rise in such cases since last three weeks.
Superintendent Dr. Th Priyokumar of state Veterinary Hospital, Sanjenthong told this reporter that they receive at least 80 to 100 dogs including old cases in their hospital. But the chances of survival among the young puppies are fifty-fifty according to the stages of the disease. Besides proper care and management of the affected is required,” the doctor said.
It was observed that majority of dog lovers were unaware of the symptoms of Parvovirus which fever foul smelling diarrhoea with blood in it, vomiting, little to no appetite, collapse and sudden death.
“If such symptoms are notice, the veterinary experts should be consulted for treatment. If not treated immediately, the dog may die,” said another veterinary doctor. People’s unawareness would result in the disease spreading to other dogs in the area, he added.
Once infected with the virus, the doctors advised five to seven days treatment to save the dogs from the virus which spreads fast to unvaccinated dogs.
“Dogs should be vaccinated against Parvo from the age of six weeks and revaccinated after a gap of 3 weeks each later,” the doctor advised.
Spokesperson Radhika Suryavanshi of PET India, a popular animal rights organisation in the country speaking to this reporter on the sideline of an event in Imphal on Thursday also suggested for timely vaccination.
