Animal shelters across mid-Michigan are grappling with a surge in canine parvovirus cases, prompting urgent reminders for pet owners to keep their animals up to date on vaccinations. The highly contagious and potentially fatal virus has led some shelters, like Genesee County Animal Control, to temporarily close in an effort to contain its spread.
Parvovirus, which can affect dogs of all ages, poses a significant threat to animal welfare. While puppies are most vulnerable, adult dogs, including those vaccinated, can still contract the virus. The seriousness of this threat was underscored by a recent case reported by Bay County Animal Services on August 19th, where a dog had to be euthanized due to the severity of the infection.
At Genesee County Animal Control, a dual outbreak of parvovirus and distemper earlier this year forced a temporary shutdown. Hannah Peterson, the shelter’s social media specialist, described the swift and severe nature of the virus and the shelter’s immediate response when an infected animal is brought in.
“Parvo always comes as a surprise to us, and it’s always a really big deal because it’s a very powerful virus. It’s deadly in many cases, and it progresses very quickly,” Peterson said. “When an animal comes in with parvo, we act as quickly as possible to stabilize the animal and make it as comfortable as possible.”
Peterson emphasized that the most effective way to protect pets from parvovirus is by ensuring they are up to date on vaccinations. “If the community keeps animals up to date on vaccines, this can be avoided. It’s so important,” she stressed.
The shelter vaccinates animals upon intake and quarantines them to monitor their health before they interact with others. However, despite these precautions, outbreaks can still occur. “If an animal that tests positive has been all over the shelter, we have to shut down, deep clean the entire building, and quarantine other animals,” Peterson explained.
Parvovirus primarily affects younger dogs and puppies, but older dogs and those with weakened immune systems are also at risk. “Typically, it’s the younger dogs, puppies, or older dogs because their immune systems aren’t as strong,” Peterson added.
In response to the growing threat, Genesee County Animal Control is offering a free vaccine clinic on September 14th from 9 a.m. to noon to help protect pets in the community.
The message from shelters is clear: keeping pets vaccinated is the best defense against dangerous diseases like parvovirus. As Peterson pointed out, “If your pet is up to date on these vaccinations, that’s going to be the biggest saving grace.”
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