The Otsego County Animal Shelter says they have identified more than 30 parvo-like illnesses since June.
“Parvovirus is a severe gastrointestinal illness that mostly affects young dogs, puppies generally that are unvaccinated for it,” said Dr. Jennifer Fuller, veterinarian at Gaylord Veterinary Hospital.
Parvovirus is spread through dog stool. Symptoms include bloody stool, loss of appetite and lethargy. Most of the dogs who have contracted the parvo-like illness have died.
Veterinarians say they haven’t seen a boom in dogs getting this virus in several years.
“Parvo also stays in the environment for at least a year, so if it gets into your lawn, your dirt around your property, you can clean and clean and clean, but you could probably expect it there,” said Melissa Fitzgerald. “Some of them were taken to veterinarians and were tested negative for parvo; however, there were a couple of necropsy that were done down at Michigan State University, and they came back positive for parvo. It is more than likely a strain of parvo that is not coming up positive in a test, so just a different strain we are seeing.”
Veterinarians say the best thing to do to prevent parvovirus is to ensure your dog is up to date on their parvo vaccination.
“I don’t want people to panic because it seems like the dogs that are well vaccinated are pretty protected,” explained Dr. Fuller. “That being said, I think it’s really important that people try to keep their pets away from areas where there have been a lot of other dogs probably keep them home.”
The Otsego County Animal Shelter is collaborating with the state veterinarian and is working on putting together a vaccination clinic.
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