Local vet abused by clients says dog baiting mistaken for parvovirus at Geraldton Sanford Veterinary Clinic

A Geraldton veterinarian who has dealt with ongoing client abuse says residents may be mistaking instances of suspected dog baiting with the surge of parvovirus caused by cold weather and rain. Expensive vet bills are causing upset among pet owners, but Sanford Veterinary Clinic vet Jane Dupre said the simple remedy would be to ensure immunity by vaccinating pets. Dr Dupre said in most circumstances, the second or third dose ensured protection from parvo. “The first vaccine needs to be given to puppies when their immune system has developed at six to eight weeks,” she said. When puppies are purchased “fully vaccinated”, Dr Dupre said their immune system was not fully developed and could not build immunity to the virus. “The second dose at 10-12 weeks is usually when they trigger immunity. Sometimes, it’s the third vaccine that triggers immunity.” Dr Dupre said parvovirus was shed through dog faeces and could remain on the ground for about two years. Mature pets can contract and shed the virus. “We see it in new puppies in yards where the owners have previously lost a dog to parvo. It can stay in the ground for years,” she said. Dr Dupre said dog baiting was uncommon, and owners could potentially mistake dog baiting for parvo. She said parvo fatality occurred quickly in puppies. During the onset they are unwell for the first few days and infection quickly escalates. “Parvo presents a lethargic, unhappy puppy that doesn’t eat or drink, at first there will be few vomits that turn into bloody diarrhoea,” she said. The signs of 1080 dog baiting are noticed within half an hour, although symptoms could take up to six hours to develop, according to Crookwell Veterinary Hospital. “Rat poisoning takes three days before showing signs of being unwell, and they will begin to bleed from somewhere,” Dr Dupre said. The veterinarian said last week the clinic dealt with one case of parvo a day. When pet owners were unable to afford the treatment, Dr Dupre said it resulted in clients abusing the staff. “It is really hard on us, because we want to cure all the animals,” she said. “Parvo is expensive to treat. Medication and blood tests are expensive and a lot of the time they don’t make it. That causes a lot of problems and abuse from clients.” Dr Dupre said a vaccination was $130 and urged pet owners to ensure their puppies received the full series of vaccinations. Unvaccinated adult dogs only require one vaccination for immunity.