While the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants, man’s best friend is infected with the deadly Canine Distemper virus (CD). There has been a terrible epidemic of CD in the city, which has taken many lives and left surviving dogs in excruciating pain till they die. Because the virus is not transmissible to people, the government has chosen to neglect canine distemper, which might be easily avoided with an annual vaccination.
The usual winter phenomenon, which began in December last year and lasted until March this year, suggests a mutation in the canine and feline flu vaccination. The pricey vaccine, which costs upwards of Rs 800, is available for seven diseases, yet most pet owners neglect to vaccinate their animals. To our surprise, there was an epidemic in September impacting a large number of dogs, even older ones that they assumed were resistant, says Animal Care Trust’s(ACT).
In dogs, rabies symptoms include watery or pus-like discharge from the eyes, fever, nasal discharge, coughing, lethargy, reduced appetite, and vomiting. The ACT shelter received almost 200 cases last year and has 60 so far this year. During an epidemic, all dogs, excluding those that have been vaccinated, are at risk since the virus is disseminated through the air. There isn’t much that can be done once the dog has been infected other than treating the symptoms and hoping for the best.
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