Due to the outbreak of the infectious disease parvovirus, visits to the shelter for abandoned animals at Vreli Ribnički, in the Konik settlement, in Podgorica, are prohibited for the next 30 days, including those with the aim of adoption, as well as the reception of new puppies.
This was announced by "Čistoća" from Podgorica after the inspection by inspectors of the Directorate for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs (UPHVFP).
"Due to the current situation regarding the occurrence of parvovirus in the Shelter for Abandoned and Lost Pets in Podgorica, the inspectors of the Administration carried out an inspection on Friday (June 21.06) and defined a series of actions and measures, which we are obliged to implement with the aim of preventing the spread of the parvo virus. In this regard, we inform the citizens that, among other things, in the next 30 days: visits to the shelter, reception of new puppies, reception of visitors with the aim of adoption are prohibited (the same will be implemented through volunteers who will have access to the shelter)", announced from " Purity”.
The inspection was carried out after the appeal of shelter volunteers. According to information from the Podgorica utility company, 16 puppies were infected in the shelter on Thursday.
According to posts by volunteers on the Facebook social network, until yesterday, in the previous five days, 11 dogs died of parvovirus, four were in critical condition and placed with volunteers, while 24 puppies are in the shelter, under supervision.
When asked about the current number of infected dogs, the Administration told "Vijesta" that it is a changing category on a daily basis.
Explaining what kind of disease it is, the "Montvet" veterinary clinic, which has an annual contract for the provision of veterinary services with "Cistoca", told "Vijesta" that it is a highly contagious virus and that it is very difficult to control it in a shelter. . As they added, their recommendation was to prohibit the further reception of puppies, as well as for veterinary inspectors to declare a parvovirus epidemic.
"This virus is very resistant and can stay in the country for up to six months, even a year," they said from "Montvet", adding that the recommendation of the World Association of Small Practice Veterinarians is to combat the virus by euthanizing infected puppies in shelters.

"Canine parvovirus is highly contagious and spreads among dogs through direct and indirect contact through feces (feces, prim. nov.). Vaccination is preventive, and mortality in puppies, which are most often attacked by the disease, is up to 90 percent. Preventive measures include vaccination of puppies and constant disinfection of boxes, testing of puppies upon entry and vaccination of puppies every 15 days until five months of age," they said from "Montvet".
The veterinary clinic explained that puppies develop symptoms within three to ten days of infection.
“Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea (usually bloody), high fever. Diarrhea and vomiting lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Loss of blood and protein through diarrhea leads to anemia. Due to damage to the intestinal mucosa, endotoxins pass into the blood and cause endotoxemia. The diarrhea that occurs has a characteristic strong smell. As a result of the infection, the number of leukocytes decreases. Any of these factors leads to a state of shock and death", they explained from "Montvet".
When asked if there is a quarantine for dogs in the Vrele shelter, the veterinary clinic said that there is, but not a special one for puppies.
Their recommendation is that the quarantine for puppies should be outside the shelter.
From the administration for food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary affairs, they believe that only with the joint action of all involved - "Cistoće", the veterinary clinic, NGO activists and the Administration, and with strict compliance with all recommended and ordered measures in the coming period, they can significantly improve the health condition of the animals in the shelter.
"Only by joint efforts can we contribute to reducing the number of abandoned pets and protect the welfare and health of animals and, consequently, people, because a certain number of diseases can be transmitted from animals to people," said the Administration.
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