Chelyabinsk owners report mass illness among expensive dogs

In Chelyabinsk, owners of elite breed dogs are concerned that their pets are being mass infected with parainfluenza virus. They have to urgently conduct expensive treatment and cancel walks in usual places. Is this an epidemic and how to act in case of infection — we found out from a veterinarian.

A reader Olga contacted the editorial office of 74.RU. Her toy poodle Filimon recently recovered from the illness. Everything ended well, but initially the symptoms were alarming.

“He started coughing, wheezing. He coughs and coughs so hard. We first thought he choked, so we took him to the clinic. There they took tests and detected parainfluenza,” Olga said.

Next — 10 days of antibiotics, inhalations. The dog feels weak at this time. For the appointment, antibiotics, and X-ray, Olga paid 15,000 rubles (about $160 at current rates). When Filimon completes treatment, a follow-up appointment will be needed.

Additionally, a vaccine costing 2,500 rubles (about $26) will be needed, but there is a nuance with it.

“The vaccine is called ‘Nobivac’, but it seems it’s not being imported due to sanctions. It can’t be bought anywhere. Now, almost underground, a person brings it from Kazakhstan. Otherwise, it turns out that all our Maltipoos, which we bought as puppies for 200,000 rubles (about $2,100), are in danger,” Olga reflects.

Concerns are also raised by the fact that this is a mass situation. According to our reader, in total this autumn, about 30 dogs of her acquaintances have fallen ill.

“Vaccines are being sourced from Kazakhstan”

Veterinarian Alena Sitnikova said that in common parlance, the disease is called kennel cough — a whole bunch of viral infections that are transmitted by airborne droplets.

“Parainfluenza is one of these infections. A sick animal comes to the dog park, sneezes, and infects other dogs. Then they all get sick. You will need to submit a nasal swab — roughly speaking, like the swab taken from people for COVID-19. It is sent to the laboratory, and until results appear, symptomatic treatment is prescribed. Then, as a rule, they treat with antibiotics, but this should be decided by the doctor,” noted Alena Sitnikova.

Moreover, she confirmed that there are currently difficulties with vaccinating dogs.

“Previously in Russia, the vaccine ‘Nobivac KC’ was available, it was dropped into the nose. But now due to sanctions, there are no vaccines for these viral diseases. Therefore, in spring and autumn, animals get sick. Most often, such vaccines are tried to be sourced from Kazakhstan or other neighboring countries,” shared the veterinarian.

She emphasized that often one dog can bring parainfluenza to the park, and another — something else. Then your animal can get sick not only with parainfluenza. Therefore, it is essential to take a swab as soon as the dog develops a cough and runny nose.

Moreover, as a prevention in spring and autumn, it is worth avoiding places where many animals are present — dog parks, group training sessions.

“This is not an epidemic. Because in an epidemic, everyone gets sick. Here it can rather be compared to how people get flu in autumn,” explained Alena Sitnikova.

It is important to understand that respiratory diseases can be confused with other non-infectious problems. For example, a polyp, a neoplasm in the nose, dental issues, or simply a foreign object that entered the respiratory tract.