KNYSNA NEWS - Perhaps the news that 36 dogs have in the past two weeks been put down because of contracting the very contagious canine distemper virus (CDV) might galvanise people into getting their pets vaccinated.

So says Retha Havenga, public relations manager for Knysna Animal Welfare Society (KAWS), who confirmed this week that distemper is rife now, with most of the cases having been in Sedgefield, but one from Knysna, Hornlee, and on 22 March, from Buffelsnek.

"Smutsville and Luthango are main areas where distemper is a problem, but the dog that came in from Hornlee might well indicate a spread here."

'Animals euthanised'
As Havenga says, distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal disease and animals that get it have to be euthanised when brought to KAWS. 

"We just cannot risk the spread of the disease to our hospital or adoption animals, and there is no simple treatment or medication to hand out for owners to treat their animals at home."

"Strict quarantine protocols are in place to keep the disease from spreading at the KAWS kennels," says Havenga.

Prevention is simple
To prevent the illness is actually very simple.

Is your dog vaccinated annually against this?
"Dogs that are not vaccinated and come into any kind of contact with an infected animal carry a particularly high risk of contracting this deadly disease. Please make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date.

"The virus is spread by direct or indirect contact with an infected animal. It attacks the respiratory, urogenital, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems," says KAWS.

'Symptoms mainly neurological'
Havenga adds that the newest strain of the distemper virus causes aggressive symptoms, mainly neurological, which closely resemble rabies symptoms, and she warns people to look for the following symptoms: fever, listlessness/fatigue, vomiting and diarrhoea, discharge from the eyes and nose, coughing and sneezing, muscle tremors in the body and on the head, sudden aggressive or overfriendly behaviour or a marked change in personality, fear of water, weakness, loss of appetite, seizures, paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles may follow, resulting in the well-known symptom of foaming at the mouth.

The end stage includes incoordination and staggering which may occur, caused by paralysis of the hind legs.

What to do, who to call?
Should your dog have any of these symptoms, please take your dog to your vet immediately or contact Knysna Animal Welfare Society on 044 384 1603.

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