George: parvovirus and distemper on the rise

Since last week the Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) has noted an increase in cases of canine distemper and parvovirus in George. According to GRSPCA head inspector, Salomé Bruyns, most of these cases were reported in Thembalethu and Syferfontein. “We’ve had various cases in Hansmoeskraal, Rosedale and Eden Park, and although it’s difficult to give you an exact figure, most of the cases came from Thembalethu and Syferfontein with Thembalethu being the current hotspot in the area,” she said. She warned that if your dog is showing any of the symptoms you should contact your vet urgently. Do not take the animal into the vet reception area until you are called, as both the conditions are highly contagious.

“The only way to fight these horrible diseases is to make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date.

“Our inspectors are picking up sick animals daily, but we have put all protocols in place to prevent contamination of our kennels,” Bruyns said.

The precautionary measures include that no adoptions, boarding of animals, dog walking or cat cuddling will take place for the next week.

Normal treatments will continue in an isolated location in order to avoid cross contamination. All treated animals will return home on the day of treatment.

Symptoms of parvovirus

Lethargy

Loss of appetite Abdominal pain and bloating

Vomiting Severe, often bloody diarrhoea.

Symptoms of canine distemper

Watery to pus-like discharge from the eyes Fever, nasal discharge Coughing Lethargy Reduced appetite and vomiting.

The virus is spread through the air, and by direct or indirect contact (i.e. utensils, bedding) with an infected animal.

It attacks the respiratory, urogenital, and nervous systems. Dogs that are not vaccinated that come into any kind of contact with an infected animal are at particularly high risk of contracting the disease.

The Garden Route Dam has been filling up gradually over the past few weeks thanks to good rainfall and by the middle of last week, George Municipality announced that it was 100% full (according to the old calibration). The level has risen by more than 20% (from 78,76% to 100%) since the first week in September. Downpours measuring 54mm fell from Friday till Sunday (total up till Wednesday 54,6mm). Some streets and gardens in Dellville Park were under water, but according to Regenald Wesso, director of Civil Engineering Services, flooding in the suburb’s roads and properties was the result of either blocked storm water infrastructure or erven located lower than the roadway. “Although the rainfall of the weekend was not excessive, due to recent good rain experienced in the area, there was always a possibility of localised flooding to susceptible areas due to soil being saturated,” he said.

The dam wall was raised and a new spillway was completed in December 2019. Wesso said in a statement last week it is unsure how fast the additional dam capacity will fill up, especially taking into consideration that the ‘new’ top edge of the dam is wider and the incline flatter than before.

The previous capacity of the dam, 10 million cubic metres, has been expanded to a new estimated capacity of 12,5 million cubic metres.

Water restrictions are expected to remain at the current Level 2B for the foreseeable future to promote long-term water security.