Deadly canine parvovirus outbreak linked to two London parks

Veterinarians are warning Londoners to make sure their dogs are vaccinated and keeping clean after a deadly virus outbreak was declared in London this week.

The Humane Society London & Middlesex warned dog owners about the presence of canine parvovirus on their social media pages on Tuesday, listing Chelsea Green Park and Watson Street Park as parks connected to the outbreak. There is no word on how many dogs have been infected. 

"Folks generally see that their dog isn't feeling well all of a sudden: he seems a little down, he's a little off his food, his tummy is upset," said Laurie Ristmae, executive director of the East Village Animal Hospital. "Then, quickly, it goes from not feeling super to being on death's door."

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that attacks an infected dog's white blood cells and gastrointestinal tract, causing lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. It is most common among puppies and unvaccinated dogs. 

Dogs often contract the disease after ingesting the fecal matter of an infected dog, which Ristmae said is more common than London dog owners may realize. 

"If the dog just walks over some dirt where another [infected] dog has defecated, that has the virus, and it gets on the pads of their paws," she said. "They're cleaning themselves off, and they're ingesting it in a way without you ever seeing it."

Ristmae said the virus acts fast, with symptoms showing up anywhere between days to two weeks. 

"Parvovirus is a terrifying, traumatic experience, not only for the dog that's suffering but the people who love the dog and the people that treat the dog," Ristmae said. 

Vaccines and extra cleaning among precautions

Getting infected dogs to a veterinarian soon after symptoms appear is crucial, said Kelly McCall, a veterinary technician and manager at Byron Animal Clinic.

"It is very life-threatening if it's not treated properly, or even if it is treated, it is a deadly virus," she said.

McCall said that treatment for canine parvovirus is symptomatic, such as using IV fluids to help with dehydration or feeding to help with vomiting.

Both McCall and Ristmae said that it's better for pet owners to take early precautions by ensuring their dogs are vaccinated against the disease.

"It can be a matter of life or death if they're unvaccinated," said McCall. "If they're vaccinated, there's less likelihood that they're going to pick it up."

McCall said Byron Animal Clinic has received phone calls from clients asking to double-check their pet's vaccination status.

Ristmae's team at East Village Animal Hospital, which operates as a nonprofit for lower-income families, headed out to the encampment at Watson Street on Wednesday to vaccinate dogs in the area. 

"That is the only way to prevent it and the only way to stop the outbreaks from recurring constantly within the city limits," Ristmae said.

Beyond vaccines, Londoners are being encouraged to take extra precautions to keep their dogs safe. This includes socializing with other vaccinated dogs, cleaning up shoes after going on walks and avoiding the parks where the outbreaks were declared.

Canine parvovirus is only transmissible between dogs, so Londoners do not have to worry about themselves or their other pets getting infected.

Pet overpopulation behind outbreak

McCall and Ristmae said they had not seen canine parvovirus in London for a while. Ristmae said she thinks an overpopulation of dogs post-pandemic could be part of the reason for the recent outbreak.

"Everybody and their neighbour was breeding dogs and selling dogs, then all of a sudden there are far too many dogs, not enough veterinarians, and people are not able to access basic care for vaccination programs," Ristmae said. 

"We have seen this coming like a freight train for the past couple of years," she said. 

McCall said that while Londoners should be cautious about canine parvovirus, there's no need to panic. 

"[Londoners] should just go on their normal routine and just be a little more conscientious when they're walking their dogs," she said.