Canine stomach virus rampant in Melbourne’s inner east and vets warn humans also at risk
A fast-spreading virus that can cause organ failure in dogs is rampant in Melbourne’s inner east, with a Surrey Hills surgery believed to have seen 40 dogs — some so sick they “couldn’t even stand up” — in two days. And it can be passed on to humans.
Inner East
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Dogs across the inner suburbs are being struck down with a dose of the dreaded “Bali belly”.
And if you’re not careful, you could also become a victim.
Erin Watene said her beloved 18-month-old bulldog Luna became sick after a visit to Surrey Gardens in Surrey Hills late last month after her dog picked up another’s dog’s faeces.
The morning after, Ms Watene said she woke to find Luna had a severe case of diarrhoea.
By day two her stools were laced with blood.
She rushed Luna to the vet, where she arrived to find five other people already anxiously waiting with their own sick dogs.
She was told the surgery had seen 40 dogs with similar symptoms in two days.
“It’s pretty dangerous and it can spread pretty quickly,’’ Ms Watene said
“I saw some dogs at the vet and they couldn’t even stand up.”
Hawthorn East vet Dr Mark Matthews said gastroenteritis was a common infection that occurred in low numbers throughout the year.
But Dr Matthews said there had been a spike in recent months.
Seasonal changes may be helping the bugs survive for longer outside the body, aiding in their transmission, he said, with giardia and campylobacter the most commonly diagnosed at his clinics in Hawthorn, Kew and Fairfield.
Both are able to be passed on to humans, he said.
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“We do not want to panic people, as these diseases are always around in low numbers, however as we are seeing an increased number recently, we want to remind people to pay careful attention to basic hygiene,” Dr Matthews said.
“Clean up faeces and avoid accidental faecal oral transmission, washing hands regularly, avoid feeding your pet raw meat, freezing first reduces risk, and avoid shared water bowls.”
He warned pet owners to watch out for diarrhoea, loss of appetite and vomiting, and he said anyone who noticed their pet displaying these symptoms should visit their vet.