A surge in cases of the parvovirus in Dubai has led animal experts to warn dog owners to vaccinate their pets to keep them safe.
Vets, kennel managers and owners have reported a steady increase of the highly contagious virus, which can be fatal in younger, unvaccinated dogs.
It cannot be transferred to humans.
The first cases were reported in Dubai between six and eight weeks ago, they said, with vets in Abu Dhabi also treating dogs suffering from the virus.
More people are spending time at home so a lot of rescue dogs have found homes. As a result, statistically you would expect to see more cases of parvovirus.
Sean Parker, general manager at My Second Home, a pet boarding service in Dubai Investments Park, said the dog community had grown substantially since the start of the pandemic.
“More people are spending time at home so a lot of rescue dogs have found homes,” he said.
“As a result, statistically you would expect to see more cases of parvovirus."
Mr Parker said he became aware of cases in the community through chat groups and conversations with vets.
“We saw the first signs of some dogs getting the virus about six weeks ago.
“We have almost 5,000 members of our facility, which represents a good portion of the dog population of Dubai.
“Dogs are being affected more than usual and the reasons are not immediately clear.”
Mr Parker said there had not been a confirmed case at his kennels and told customers to guard against the virus by ensuring their pets' vaccinations are up to date.
What is parvovirus and how does it affect dogs?
Two slightly different strains exist of canine parvovirus, CPV-2a and CPV-2b.
They cause the same disease and vaccines give protection against both.
The main source is from the faeces of infected dogs. The virus begins to be shed in the faeces just before clinical signs develop.
It is resistant to the effects of heat, detergents, alcohol and many disinfectants, so can last outside in affected areas for a considerable time.
Symptoms include severe vomiting and diarrhoea, with puppies younger than five months most vulnerable.
Dubai cases were initially reported in Jumeirah Village Circle and Jumeirah Village Triangle on social media in early March, while Petsville boarding kennels issued a reminder to customers to vaccinate their pets.
Amr Youssef, the owner of Petsville, in Al Quoz, Dubai, said no cases had been recorded at his kennels, but hourly fumigation and weekly turf changing was under way to protect visiting animals.
"The word is this is coming from one or two pet shops and then circulating," he said.
“Home breeding is also a potential risk and it is causing a lot of problems.
"Dogs can shed the virus up to a month after they have recovered, so people need to be careful," Mr Youssef said.
“For the last two weeks we have not heard of any new cases in the community, which is encouraging.”
To guard against spreading the virus, owners should always pick up after their dogs, and wipe down an animal’s paws after a walk as a precaution.
The source of the reported cases has not yet been traced, but experts said private breeders, pet shops or animal markets were the likely source, because sanitation can sometimes fall below municipality standards in those locations.
Dr Susan Aylott, who works at a community clinic with the animal welfare group Animalia in Abu Dhabi, hoped the warnings would encourage more people to vaccinate their pets.
“People need educating about this kind of virus and how dangerous it is,” she said.
“We have always seen cases of parvo and also panleukopenia in cats, which is similar.
“These cases would not appear if people had their animals vaccinated.”
"We see about three to five cases of parvo a week, but if you went out and tested more animals you would find a lot more," Dr Aylott said.
“The pet markets and private breeders are responsible for some of these cases.
“People who have bought pets that are supposed to be vaccinated are coming to us with sick animals. That shouldn’t happen.”
Pawsome Pets Cat hotel – in pictures
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Jigra
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Final results:
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Australia 94 (4) beat New Zealand 48 (0)
Plate men
England 85 (3) beat India 81 (1)
Open women
Australia 121 (4) beat South Africa 52 (0)
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Australia 68 (2) beat New Zealand 66 (2)
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Company name: Nybl
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
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Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
