A viral infection is spreading among the canine population of Biratnagar city and surrounding areas.

The infection causing vomiting and diarrhoea is mostly affecting puppies, according to pet owners and veterinarians. 

Dr Sushil Kumal Adhikari, chief at the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre, said reports about the infection started emerging about a month ago and it has been affecting both pet and stray dogs.
Dilip Dev took his four-month-old dog to the centre on Wednesday after his pet got sick due to vomiting and diarrhoea bouts. 

“My dog would not eat and he became visibly weak. So I took him to the hospital. His health is gradually improving now,” said Dev. 

He added many dogs in his neighbourhood too had been suffering from the same symptoms for the past few weeks.
Sindhya Rijal, another dog owner, was at the hospital on Thursday. Her three-month-old puppy also had the similar symptoms described by Dev.   

“We have been receiving around 15 to 20 dogs daily for the past one month, all of them suffering from the same illness,” Dr Adhikari said. “The viral infection is mostly affecting puppies between the ages of two to six months, and it has spread outside the city area.” 

Dr Adhikari added dogs who have not been administered the DHLPP vaccine—a canine vaccine that prevents distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and two types of adenovirus (hepatitis)— are prone to viral infection.

Although no pet deaths have been ascribed to the viral infection so far, veterinarians say they are treating it as a serious health issue.

Biratnagar Deputy Mayor Indira Karki said she was unaware about the viral infection stalking puppies.
“The veterinary service division may be in contact with the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre about the problem,” she said. “The City is ready to provide all the required support to control the infection.”