Pet owners have been warned that a virus lethal to dogs is spreading in some parts of the US.
New York health officials have released an alert about parvovirus, a highly contagious disease that kills up to 90 per cent of unvaccinated dogs it infects. The virus is being recorded at above average levels in New York state, DC and Missouri.
Common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite, with the virus particularly threatening to puppies and younger dogs. Symptoms appear within five to seven days of exposure to the virus, which spreads via contact with infected feces.
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The virus is not tracked, so the number of dogs to have died is not known but the Animal Care Centers had diagnosed 14 dogs as of March 14, which far exceeds what is usually seen in a whole year. Meanwhile, reports say that a shelter in Missouri has seen a sharp rise in cases among puppies, with vets seeing up to six sick parvo-infected dogs every day.
ACC’s senior vice president of Animal Health & Welfare, Dr Robin Brennen, said: “We normally see a limited number of parvo cases in any given year. But in 2023 we have already seen so many cases and that number continues to rise.’
The Centers advised owners to get their dogs vaccinated to curb the spread of the virus. Parvo causes acute gastrointestinal illness and, in rare instances, myocarditis, in dogs, although it does not infect humans.
But experts say that with proper treatment, including through fluids, antiemetics, antibiotics, and nutritional support, dogs should recover. Puppies between six and 20 weeks old are at most likely to fall ill, with the first warning signs tending to be lethargy, lack of appetite and fever which can turn into vomiting and diarrhoea.
Kansas City Pet Project in Missouri has established an isolated parvo ward, with spokesperson Tori Fugate reporting 12 puppies infected.
Rachel Lunsford, an urgent care tech at Pet Resource Center of Kansas City, told WDAF: “Parvo is something you can never tell if they’re going to make it or not.”
She added: ‘We see two to three parvo cases every day. There’s some days where I can see five or six.’
Veterinarian Dr Hannah Lau told WNBC: “Any breed of dog can become sick from parvovirus, but Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, American Pit Bull Terriers, English Springer Spaniels and German Shepherds may see an increased risk.”
