Goondiwindi vet Mac Kneipp raised concerns on Monday urging all dog owners to be wary.

“We have had cases of dog parvovirus at our surgery since December last year,” Mac said.

“Yet again our isolation ward is full of very sick dogs.

“It is the worst possible disease to see a dog suffer.

“Recently we sent samples off to be tested in the USA and to the University of Queensland, Brisbane.

“The results suggest this is a new strain of parvo and this is the first time it has been described in Queensland.

“No dog, no matter how old or how isolated it is, is safe from parvo.

“Many of the dogs we see come off so-called isolated farms,” he said.

This is the letter informing the Border Vet Surgery to ensure dog owners kept their dogs vaccinated:

Dear Dr Kneipp,

Thank you for submitting two samples for our ongoing surveillance of the strains of parvovirus detected in Australia.

The samples were tested at the University of Queensland. Both samples have been identified as infections with the 2b strain of parvovirus which has not been detected in Queensland previously.

The Canine ParvoVirus 2b strain (CPV-2b) was first detected in Australia in 2002.

This is the first time that this strain has been detected in Queensland.

Parvovirus first caused outbreaks of disease in dogs in 1978. The original strain was called CPV-2.

The original strain of parvovirus is now extinct and has been largely replaced by CPV-2a. Over time CPV-2a may be replaced by CPV-2b as the most common strain circulating in Australia.

Could you please raise awareness of this new strain with dog owners and ensure that all pet dogs in your area are up to date with vaccinations to maximise protection against this deadly disease.

Regards,

Dr Peter Bracken BVSc MACVSc

Technical Services Manager

Animal Health Division

Fort Dodge