Coronavirus hits dogs

Four new cases jolt for greyhound industry

THE state’s greyhound industry is on high alert after a spike in cases of canine coronavirus — a rare disease that is unrelated to the current human pandemic.

Vets are on the lookout for the disease after four new cases were confirmed at four properties and 16 dogs were scratched from races on Monday.

TASMANIA’S greyhound racing industry has been put on alert after four new cases of canine coronavirus were confirmed in the state.

The Office of Racing Integrity wrote to greyhound breeders, owners and trainers to urge them to monitor the health of their greyhounds after the cases were detected.

The first case this year of Canine Enteric coronavirus (CCoV) in greyhounds was reported by ORI in the state’s North in March.

But the latest cases have seen three properties in Tasmania’s South and one in the state’s North quarantined to minimise the potential for the contagious virus to spread.

A Hobart veterinarian said the illness in dogs had been around for several decades, but that cases were rare.

ORI assured the industry that the canine virus was unrelated to the current COVID-19 pandemic and was not transferable to humans.

ORI general manager John King confirmed 16 greyhounds were scratched from Monday night’s race meeting at Launceston in connection with the new confirmed cases.

Mr King said greyhounds in affected kennels could not race until owners and trainers were given permission.

“I’m advised by the chief vet that the virus is endemic to the state. It is in the dog population going around as a flu,’’ he said.

Mr King said dogs who contract canine coronavirus could experience symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea, and that those looking after them needed to be mindful of the impacts of dehydration.

North Hobart Veterinary Hospital director Jennifer Cormack said the canine coronavirus had been “around for decades” and was typically contracted in dogs through faeces and vomit. Dr Cormack said the virus caused vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and, in some cases, a fever.

She said the virus was less common than parvovirus and the illness was usually mild.

Dr Cormack said cases of canine coronavirus were not normally fatal, but dogs who had an underlying disease or a weakened immune system could be more susceptible to the effects of the virus.

Most recovered from the virus in about a week, she said.

Let Greyhounds Run Free spokeswoman Fran Chambers called on the greyhound racing industry to do mandatory testing of all nominated greyhounds prior to their arrival at a track to ensure they were free of the virus. “If the industry cannot assure the public that dogs are free from the canine virus, they need to close the tracks down until they are certain Tasmania is free of this virulent canine virus,’’ she said.

ORI told industry participants to notify them if they suspected their dogs had contracted the virus.