Gastro virus hits the uk

We have most likely all ready about this gastric virus that's going through the whole of the uk, but we probably haven't thought much about it that it indeed could effect our dogs.  This is what I know about the virus.
It is the most contagious dog virus that's hit the uk in ages.  Many Silvestre owners all across the uk have contacted me with sick dogs, or hospitalised dogs.  It completely wipes them out.  
There is also an unknown virus which has come from the beaches of Yorkshire, which has spread around the uk also.  They have not said yet they are linked.  Lots of fish dying in the sea and rivers leading to the sea.  

This is how it starts.  Your dog may just vomit its dinner up and you think nothing of it, after all dogs will vomit food, or have bile.  But then your dog will vomit again, and more food comes up, then they keep vomiting approx every 15 mins until it goes from food sick, to slime froth, then it goes orange.  Then it goes poo colour with pieces of poo.  They are retching from as deep in the body as anything.  Now your dog may actually still feel well at this point.  Take your dogs temperature.  Ring your vet and they will get you to come in to surgery.  They will give a cocktail of drugs which helps knock it on its head.  But in the meanwhile some will get profuse diarrhoea.  This can last about 2-4 days.  Many dogs are hospitalised as they need fluids.  Do not feed your dog if its been sick, starve for 24 hours but contact your vet for advice.  If your dogs temperature goes above normal range ring vet ASP!

Do not let your dog go out with other dogs whilst it is ill.

Quarantine them from mixing with dogs, puppies etc.

Knowing how dangerous this bug is, I would go so much as to say if your dog is healthy right now don't walk it in the park, or places you will come across other dogs as its sweeping across the uk.  Some vets are saying they can't cope with the amount of animals to see in the day.  

Let your dog drink only little water.  Remove water bowls.  Dogs with sick tummies and diarrhoea will over drink, and then sick up again.  Just offer little water every now and then.  Bloat can happen if they over drink water, or over eat grasses.  

If your dogs temperature is high, you will need to help the dog.  {Put the dog in a room that's draft free, with even temperature.  Get a cold towel and wrap around the head to cool the dog down.  Keep a close eye on your dog.  If the temperature goes up further ring vets.  Most vets will admit a dog with extreme high temperatures.

We have had this and come out the other side now.  It was a nightmare keeping the puppies away from the sick dogs, but we did,  We realised pretty quickly that we couldn't put sheets of vet bed down as it was soaked again and again and again.  So I put towels down, which I could then wash at a high temperature in the washing machine with antigene cap full in with the laundry detergent.  Thank goodness I buy Proline laundry liquid as it really shifts stubborn stains.

When your dog is feeling better start feeding bland food.  Cook a chicken breast and mince it up so easy to eat. If you can make bone broth that's a good idea as it contains nutrients for dogs. 
If your dogs had antibiotics steroids and anti sickness drugs, then you may want to introduce some Keifer or pro biotics once the tummy settles to help get the gut back to normal flora.  Tree barks powder is also great for upset stomachs.  You can buy tree barks from www.dorwest.com 

I hope this helps but really the most important person is your vet in this virus case.  Good luck and IP hope your dogs don't get it,
​Rachel xx