A virus that is deadly to dogs and is on the rise in some US regions has prompted warnings for pet owners.
There are above-average levels of the parvovirus, sometimes known as parvo, which is a highly contagious illness that can kill up to 90% of dogs. These areas include New York state, Washington, DC, and Missouri.
Number Of Dogs Have Died
The most common symptoms are diarrhea, nausea, and appetite loss. As the virus cannot be identified, it is uncertain how many dogs have died overall.
According to a warning issued by New York City health officials, as of March 14 the Animal Care Centers (ACC) had diagnosed 14 dogs, the bulk of which were puppies and younger dogs housed in Bronx and Manhattan facilities.
And a shelter in Missouri has seen a high increase in cases involving young animals.
Several veterinarians there report seeing two to three sick dogs with parvo every day, and occasionally even five or six. The warmer weather has been blamed for the increase.
In just one day, the nonprofit’s vets saw a number of cases of parvo.
We typically have a small number of parvo cases in any given year, according to Dr. Robin Brennen, senior vice president of ACC’s Animal Health & Welfare division.
“But, in 2023, we have already witnessed so many examples, and that number keeps growing.”
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Vaccinating Against Parvovirus to Stop the Spread
To stop the virus from spreading, the Centers suggested that dog owners immunize their animals.
In certain uncommon cases, myocarditis is also brought on by parvo in dogs.
If left untreated, the illness can be fatal, especially for puppies. However, dogs have a 90% chance of surviving with treatment. A parvovirus vaccination is available.
Regardless of how many doses they had previously received, puppies should receive a dose of the canine parvovirus vaccination between 14 and 16 weeks of age in order to establish appropriate protection, according to the AVMA.
The AVMA further stated that dog owners should confirm the parvovirus immunization status of their mature pets.
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