UAE: Dog owners cautioned about highly contagious viral disease, here's why

June 20, 2024

By Expat Media

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Dog owners cautioned about distemper in Dubai

Dog owners are advising people to check their dogs' immunity to the distemper virus, which has left some animals fighting for their lives. The virus is a highly contagious disease distributed by direct touch and airborne exposure. It affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central neurological systems of dogs and has no cure. Humans cannot contract the sickness. Around two weeks ago, a number of distemper infections were recorded in the Dubai Hills neighborhood. Some dogs died, while others were critically ill. There is a vaccine that can help prevent distemper, but experts say immunity wears off over time and that a booster shot is required every year. Inadequate or incomplete vaccination courses, as well as puppies, being immunized too soon, induce poor immunity. The disease is generally lethal, with a 50% mortality rate in adult dogs and an 80% mortality rate in puppies. Amy le Roux, a British expat living in Dubai Hills, said her dog Paddington was vaccinated but still got distemper. Paddington was not playing or eating his food, she added, so she took him to the vet. He was diagnosed with a high temperature and tested positive for the virus. “He had no prior health issues to this whatsoever," Ms le Roux claimed. "He's a rescue dog, so he's not got any history of illegal breeding, he was actually born stray. But he still got the diagnosis with the virus on May 8. She admitted that he was released from the vet a few days ago, but he spent four days in the intensive care unit and is now tube-fed, on a lot of probiotics, vitamins, and antibiotics. “We’re literally doing everything we can to boost his immune system so that he can fight the disease because it’s not actually curable.” She said she had spent around Dh14,000 ($3,810) so far and that the vet advised her that recuperation could take several months and that she would need round-the-clock care. Paddington is also suffering from distemper-related pneumonia and is being fed through tubes every few hours. “I really recommend people to get their dog’s immunity against the virus tested, so they know if a booster shot is required.” She shared information about the infection on social media and reported that others who were having similar problems had contacted her. Purvi, another Dubai Hills resident, said the illness killed her vaccinated dog Coco on May 6. She believes that more people should be aware of the condition and that owners should obtain a blood test to determine their dog's immunity to the virus at every visit to the veterinarian. “The question is 'why is there not much awareness on this topic?' Purvi said. "Nobody told us that once they take the vaccination, they need to take an antibodies test.” The infection has spread beyond Dubai Hills. Ronin and Skye, two golden retriever puppies owned by an American resident of Dubai Investment Parks, are battling the condition. Even though the dogs had been vaccinated, Kathy Guthrie, who bought them from a breeder in Ras Al Khaimah, was notified they were infected with the distemper virus earlier this month. “At this point, it’s affecting them neurologically," she claimed. "I'm having to force-feed them. They won't eat on their own because their jaws are moving uncontrollably. They're losing a lot of weight.” Ms Guthrie said she's attempting to educate other dog owners about the antibodies test so they can obtain a booster vaccine in time. Distemper is a widespread illness around the world, according to Sam Westhead, a veterinarian at the Amity Veterinary Clinic in Dubai. According to him, the virus primarily affects puppies under the age of four months. “Correct vaccination provides excellent protection – it's not a breakdown in immunity that leads some dogs to be susceptible to the virus. Poor immunity results from inappropriate or incomplete vaccination courses, as well as puppies being vaccinated too young. He notes that to be able to maintain protection against certain illnesses, regular annual booster doses are recommended. KMB/Expat Media