By Vets issue advice on mystery dog illness
Vets have issued a theory and a word of advice to dog owners after increasing numbers reported their pets as having fallen ill.
Experts have been investigating the higher than average incidence of sickness and diarrhoea occurring in dogs across the UK.
Now, Alan Radford, Professor of Veterinary Health Informatics at the University of Liverpool, thinks a cause has been identified.
He has revealed that the leading theory for what is infecting our pets is a condition known as Canine Enteric Coronavirus.
Despite the name, the virus is in no way related to the human form of Covid-19, and poses no risk to humans.
However, owners have been advised to limit contact between affected and unaffected dogs.
Owners are also advised to contact their vet if they suspect their dog may have fallen unwell.
Professor Radford said: “Analysis of real-time data collected by SAVSNET from veterinary practices suggests that in Yorkshire, levels of disease have been statistically higher than we would expect for three weeks – we can therefore call this an outbreak in Yorkshire.
“In other regions, the increases we have seen so far look more like normal seasonal variation.
“However, such signals can change quickly, and we will continue to monitor the situation.”
The investigation into the situation is ongoing.
