Vets move to reassure dog owners over Hendra virus

Veterinarians convey reassured Australian domestic dog owners that the chances of their canine companions catching the unsafe Hendra virus are extremely low.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) was moved to comment subsequently intelligence that a domestic dog on an Ingham property, inward Queensland’s far north, where a Equus caballus was diagnosed amongst a Hendra infection terminal week, had returned a weak positive examination to the virus.

However, the domestic dog had too returned several negatives tests, as well as therefore was beingness re-tested.

If farther testing confirms Hendra infection, it volition live on the 2d natural infection inward a dog.

AVA spokesman Dr David Neck said that inward both cases the dogs were on properties where Hendra virus infection was institute inward horses.

“Although the 2d domestic dog showed signs of illness, sensitive testing indicates at that spot had been contact amongst the virus, most probable through unopen contact amongst an infected horse.

“This is solely the 2d fourth dimension that a natural Hendra virus infection would convey been institute inward an beast other than a horse, a flight play a trick on [bat] or a human,” Neck said.

“Dogs, cats as well as other animals that mightiness convey been inward contact amongst infected horses convey been routinely tested for Hendra virus for several years, exactly solely 1 has tested positive prior to this suspected case.

“It’s a pretty rare event, as well as there’s actually no postulate for domestic dog owners to live on concerned most their pets,” Neck said.

“The show as well as therefore far is that a domestic dog would postulate to live on inward a province of affairs similar beingness on a belongings amongst Hendra-positive horses to choke infected.

“While there’s non much gamble of the average suburban pet canine catching Hendra virus, it’s a skillful reminder that at that spot are diseases that tin live on shared betwixt humans as well as dogs. So it’s of import to exercise skillful hygiene to a greater extent than or less dogs as well as launder your hands subsequently touching whatever animals.

“And of course of report if y'all convey whatever concerns at all most the wellness of your pets, catch your local veterinary every bit presently every bit possible.”

 

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