Flesh-eating disease among pets prompts warning on Vancouver Island
Flesh-eating disease among pets prompts warning on Vancouver Island
Veterinarians on Vancouver Island are encouraging residents to monitor their pets after several dogs were found to have necrotizing fasciitis, a rare flesh-eating disease.
The Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital (CIVEH) says dog owners shouldn't panic but should be aware of the signs of the disease.
Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) can affect skin, underlying fat, and fascia – the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, according to the CIVEH.
The illness can infect a pet through punctures or skin infections, and it does not always seems like an obvious wound.
SYMPTOMS
Pet owners should monitor their animals for pain, particularly in limbs, since it's not always noticeable that a wound or swelling has occurred, according to CIVEH.
Some skin discolouration may occur, and animals with NF generally develop a fever, veterinarians say.
If it seems like your pet is in pain, CIVEH recommends that you take your dog to a vet.
"Necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon disease in dogs but given the amount of cases we have seen recently, it is important that we, as pet owners (myself included) are vigilant," said Dr. Nikolas Bell, medical director at CIVEH, in a statement Wednesday.
"Any patient with localized pain, swelling and a fever should have NF placed on their list of possible diagnoses however this does not mean that every patient with these symptoms has NF," he said.
If your pet does develop NF, vets say they'll need urgent and intensive therapy, as the disease can be fatal.
Treatment of NF is twofold, according to CIVEH. Vets will try to manage the disease – which sometimes requires surgeries to remove infected tissue – ranging from small extractions to amputations. Meanwhile, vets will also start supportive care to stabilize the animal.
Bell says there's been no definitive link between any cases seen on Vancouver Island.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Commonwealth falls short of condemning Russia as Trudeau prepares for G7
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is headed to the G7 in Germany Saturday without a consensus from the Commonwealth to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but with a chorus of countries calling for help to overcome the fallout of the war.

Protesters at U.S. Supreme Court decry abortion ruling overturning Roe v. Wade
Hundreds of protesters descended on the U.S. Supreme Court on Saturday to denounce the justice's decision to overturn the half-century-old Roe v. Wade precedent that recognized women's constitutional right to abortion.
Tear gas used to disperse protesters outside Arizona Capitol building, officials say
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, holding that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion, protesters and supporters of the ruling gathered at the high court's building in Washington, D.C., and in other cities nationwide.
Conservative MPs free to attend 'freedom' protests this summer: Bergen
With the nation's capital bracing for anticipated anti-mandate 'freedom' movement protests during Canada Day weekend, interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen says her MPs are free to attend.
Biden signs landmark gun measure, says 'lives will be saved'
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades, a bipartisan compromise that seemed unimaginable until a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school.
Child labour remains an increasing source of Canada’s everyday products: NGO
Many Canadians still remain unaware of the involvement of forced child labour in the products they buy, according to non-profit agency World Vision Canada.
Missing Kelowna woman found dead, family confirms
The family of Chelsea Cardno says the body found on flooded farmland adjacent to Mission Creek Friday night has been identified as the missing Kelowna woman.
Norway shaken by attack that kills 2 during Pride festival
A gunman opened fire in Oslo's nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an 'Islamist terror act' during the capital's annual LGBTQ Pride festival.
Abortion is legal in Canada -- but is it accessible? Experts weigh in
There is a renewed conversation about abortion accessibility and rights for women in Canada after U.S. Supreme Court justices overturned the Roe v. Wade case on Friday, allowing states to ban abortions.