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Show New dog disease spreads to area Recent television coverage has brought attention to- a new viral disease, parvovirus, affecting dogs mainly along the coastal states, but recently has spread to the West. The virus has been known to affect dogs for several years, but up to the present time has been found only along the eastern coastal states and just recently in southern California. Unfortunately the highly resistant viral particles have spread to our area, and there have been three deaths attributed at-tributed to the infection, Chris Crnich, local veterinarian reported. Positive diagnosis of the virus has been given by Intermountain Laboratories Inc., of Salt Lake City to the Ashley Valley Veterinary Clinic on a suspect dog. Also the virus has been positively diagnosed to be in Grand Junction, Colo. The new disease is termed parvovirus par-vovirus after the name of the viral agents attacking dogs. It is a mutant strain of feline parvovirus or the feline distemper virus that affects only dogs and is transmitted only by dogs, Crnich said. The virus affects cells of the body that replicate frequently in lymphatic tissue, bone marrow and intestinal cells. In young dogs, heart tissue can also be affected, causing heart failure in later life, assuming the animal survives the initial attack. The signs of the disease in young animals can vary significantly from the classic vomiting and diarrhea to acute death. Young animals seem to be most susceptible to the lethal effects of the disease, Crnich said. In older animals, signs vary from nothing, yet the animal still carries viral particles that can infect other dogs, to violent vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration, anemia, anorexia, lethargy and depression may also coincide with adult infections. Death loss in older animals is far less than in young animals, but still may occur. Prevention of the disease is possible through proper vaccination. To establish a solid immunity two doses of vaccine must be given approximately two weeks apart. The problem facing dog owners is the shortage of vaccine due to the rapid spread and serious nature of the disease causing high demand. According to Crnich, there is only one supplier of vaccine located in the East. "The vaccine is being produced and distributed as quickly as possible," he added. Contact your veterinarian as to the availability of the vaccine and his recommendation on vaccinations. ', . . ) . ' . j ANYONE WHO OWNS or wishes to own this dog, labrador cross, may contact the Vernal-Uintah County Dog Pound by calling call-ing 789-3022. |