A MYSTERY virus linked to three beaches in Fife has been blamed for the death of one dog and for making several others ill. Pet owners have been advised to keep their animals away from Seafield and Ravenscraig beaches in Kirkcaldy and nearby West Wemyss beach.
The warning came after the death of Sarah Murphy’s pet Labrador, which was regularly walked at Seafield. The dog suddenly started vomiting last week and died within eight hours.
There have been similar reports of stricken dogs following walks at the two other beaches.
Murphy said: “The vets are still clueless as to the nature of the virus. Symptoms start with vomiting and diarrhoea and progress into organ failure. My dog died eight hours after presenting with symptoms.
“Most of the information gathered by local owners has been word of mouth. We are devastated by our loss.”
Warnings have been made across several social media platforms, but vets say they have not noticed an increase in deaths or illness.
However, they are urging dog owners to remain vigilant for any signs of sickness in their pets, with several advising dog walkers to avoid the areas involved until a cause has been established.
Graham Dodds, a director of Albavet Scotland in Kirkcaldy, said: “Thankfully, we have not seen a case of the disease. As far as I am aware, nobody has confirmed any causal agent – virus, poison etc.
“We are reluctant to say that there is a ‘new virus’. It is quite possible that parvovirus is responsible for these unfortunate circumstances. However, it could also be something else entirely.”
He added: “It may not even be definitely linked to the areas in question. Our advice would be to keep dogs away from those areas for the time being and any cases we see we shall investigate fully and send necessary samples to the lab for analysis.
“If we see a case we will communicate fully with other vets in the area and SEPA.
“Make sure your dog is up to date with their vaccinations and temporarily avoid the areas in question with your dog.
“Until we get clarification on a specific diagnosis our advice will remain the same.”
Vets say there has been a rise in canine parvovirus infection, which causes very sudden diarrhoea and vomiting, extreme lethargy and very often results in death.
It can be prevented by vaccination.
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