A potential canine parvovirus outbreak has killed several dogs in the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation community of Ty Histanis and the Nation is urging all dog owners to keep their pets contained and monitored.
B次元官网网址淭his deadly virus spreads quickly and can transfer to cats and the wolf population too. It can also spread from one community to another on objects like kennels, clothing etc,B次元官网网址� read a statement from the Tofino area Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation on Aug. 31.
B次元官网网址淎ll dogs in Ty Histanis, Esowista and Opitsaht MUST be contained to their property and monitored for symptoms of Parvo so we can get on top of this painful, dog killing virus.B次元官网网址�
The statement adds that anyone unable to keep their dog contained should immediately contact the Coastal Animal Rescue and Education Network for assistance at 250-266-9663.
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, low energy, rapid weight loss and high heart rates.
CARE co-founder James Rodgers told the Westerly B次元官网网址 on Sunday that at least seven dogs have died over the past two weeks with further sick dogs being reported and testing is underway to confirm whether canine parvovirus is the cause.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 definitely something going around and all the symptoms that weB次元官网网址檙e hearing are pointing towards parvo,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hat typically happens with parvo is the dogs end up dying a painful death from dehydration because of the vomiting and diarrhoea.B次元官网网址�
He added that CARE worked with the Nation to organize an emergency vaccination clinic in Ty-Histanis on Monday, Sept. 4.
B次元官网网址淭he answer to parvo is vaccinations,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not about getting rid of parvo necessarily, it is about vaccinating the dogs so that theyB次元官网网址檙e safe from parvoB次元官网网址tB次元官网网址檚 important to try to keep it as contained as possible but, at the same time, really the answer is get every dog vaccinated thatB次元官网网址檚 able to be vaccinated.B次元官网网址�
He added the virus B次元官网网址渟preads fast and it kills fast,B次元官网网址� and that the clinics would include homecare and treatments for dogs experiencing symptoms.
B次元官网网址淥ne of the big worries here and why we want to get on this as fast as possible is that it is a canine virus, so we donB次元官网网址檛 want to see it spread to the wolf population,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a big concern given that these communities are surrounded by wolves that of course range across the peninsula.B次元官网网址�
He said the Nation and CARE began working on a plan late last week.
B次元官网网址淭he Tla-o-qui-aht administration is really on top of this kind of thing. They take community health and safety very seriously, so they had their teams spring into action both with getting the word out about the spreading of the virus and also disposing of the bodies safely, because thatB次元官网网址檚 a big thing to protect the wolves and everyone else,B次元官网网址� he said.
He said a vet team is expected to arrive in Ty Histanis around 10 a.m. on Sept. 4 and RSVP links are being sent to residents of Ty Histanis and Esowista with another clinic in Opitsaht being considered.
He added residents in neighbouring Tofino and Ucluelet should also be keeping an eye on their dogs, watching for symptoms and is urging all West Coast dog owners to make sure their pets are properly vaccinated.
B次元官网网址淭he name of the game here is vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate,B次元官网网址� he said.
DonB次元官网网址檛 miss out on reading the latest local, provincial and national news. Join our community and receive daily news alerts & breaking news, right to your inbox. .
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
