Distemper virus at Gander SPCA originated in Natuashish
Parvovirus also circulating in some areas of province
A distemper outbreak at the Gander and Area SPCA this week originated in Natuashish.
On Tuesday, the Gander SPCA made the “heartbreaking” decision to euthanize all but two dogs at its shelter to contain the spread of the virus.
The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources told The Telegram on Thursday the virus originated in Natuashish, where there is currently a distemper outbreak.
The emailed statement from the department said “there was a large population of unvaccinated dogs in this community, and the disease became widespread.”
“In the meantime, various individuals and groups continued to move dogs to southern Labrador from Natuashish not realizing that some of them were sick or about to become sick.
“In spite of taking measures to isolate and vaccinate dogs in Labrador, some were moved to central NL SPCAS. Although healthy upon arrival, they later became sick. These were confirmed positive for distemper at post mortem.”
Distemper is a contagious, viral illness with no known cure.
In affected dogs, it causes digestive, nervous and respiratory system problems, and only half of affected dogs will survive – those who survive are usually left with permanent damage to their nervous system.
The department wrote that “enhanced biosecurity” measures were put in place in Labrador and at the Gander SPCA, but were not effective in containing the spread of the virus within the shelter.
The department said, to its knowledge, distemper has not been diagnosed outside of a shelter in the province, except in Natuashish.
The Gander SPCA will not accept new dogs at the shelter until the remaining two are adequately immunized and remain healthy for a period of time.
The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources added that a thorough cleaning and disinfection protocol will continue in “affected shelters.”
The Telegram questioned the plural reference to “shelters” and “central NL SPCAS” in the department’s email, but as of press deadline questions about whether other shelters in central Newfoundland are affected remain unanswered and were being investigated by the department’s spokesperson.
Other than distemper, the department added parvovirus is also “circulating in some areas of the province.”
The statement went on to say that people should ensure their dogs’ vaccinations are up to date to prevent infection.
Parvovirus is a highly contagious illness that manifests itself in two different forms.
The more common form is intestinal and can result in vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and lack of appetite. The less common form is cardiac, which attacks the heart muscles of fetuses and very young puppies, often leading to death.
In St. John’s, SPCA St. John’s executive director Michelle Smith said people do not need to worry about adopting an animal from their shelter.
“Right now, we are not taking dogs from the Gander area pending further protocols and advice from our veterinarian.”
Smith said they have not received animals from Gander recently.
She said they’re usually informed when there is an outbreak of infectious diseases in other parts of the province, and in those cases they implement protocols to ensure the health of animals at their shelter is not jeopardized.