A second Christchurch dog has been found with a parasite, that until recently, had never been detected in New Zealand.
The Ministry for Primary Industries announced last week that a Staffordshire Bull Terrier had to be put down, due to illness caused by babesia gibsoni.
A small number of dogs that were close contacts of the animal were tested, as part of the MPI's investigation.
Chief veterinary officer Dr Mary van Andel told 1News today that led to the new infection being detected.
"This new case is a dog known to have been involved in a tussle with the first dog confirmed with the disease," she said.
"This newly discovered dog has shown no obvious signs of illness."
Test results are due back in the coming days for playmates of the first New Zealand dog to be found with an exotic parasite that can be deadly. (Source: 1News)
The blood parasite's widespread overseas but it was still unclear how it came to be in New Zealand.
It most commonly affected bull breeds and greyhounds and was usually spread via ticks or dog bites.
MPI confirmed the more recently diagnosed dog was a border collie cross, and said, "it is likely that the parasite will always remain in the dog’s system".
The owners have been given directions to manage any risk of further spread.
The ministry has also placed legal controls around managing the risks, including being up-to-date date with tick treatments and preventing blood being drawn during boisterous play or other interactions with other dogs.
But van Andel said: "All other dog owners, in Christchurch and nationally, should not be concerned and can continue to take their dogs to daycare and exercise and socialise them as normal.
"Biosecurity New Zealand will continue to trace contacts of both affected dogs to understand how the parasite entered New Zealand and to confirm whether this is isolated to the small number of animals in direct contact with one another."
MPI re-emphasised most dogs with the disease would only experience mild symptoms, if any, but it could be severe in some cases, as with the first Christchurch dog.
If pet owners were worried about their dog’s health, they were advised to contact their vet.
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