March 31, 2008

BRATTLEBORO, Mass. -- A veterinarian in western Massachusetts has reported an outbreak of the potentially deadly parvovirus at her clinic.

According to Dr. Katie Wolfgang of the Greylock Animal Hospital in the North Adams, Massachusetts, the cases her clinic is dealing with originated from a litter of puppies which were transported to the state from the south-eastern U.S*.

In total, Dr. Wolfgang reported vets at her clinic have treated five cases of the virus. However, she said two of the dogs were infected after contact with the puppies.

Calls to Albany veterinary clinics and shelters did not reveal evidence of a mass outbreak.

According to Dr. Crager Boardman of the Brattleboro Veterinary Clinic in Brattleboro, Vt., unvaccinated puppies and young dogs are especially susceptible to the virus.

Although puppies receive parvovirus antibodies from their mothers through nursing, it can wear off in an indeterminate amount of time, leaving unvaccinated young canines vulnerable.

Dr. Boardman said this fact makes vaccination at the earliest possible age paramount in the future health of any dog.

“It’s definitely a disease that affects young dogs,” he said.

Parvovirus can remain dormant for years in yards and parks, and therefore outbreaks must be treated seriously. Dr. Boardman recommends dogs receive parvovirus, kennel cough and distemper vaccinations when they are six to eight weeks of age.

Older canines develop a stronger immunity because over the course of their lives, they can be subjected to the virus and develop antibodies for staving it off. However, parvovirus can still infect vaccinated dogs.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association Web site, symptoms include “… lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following onset of clinical signs. If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian promptly.”

Vets believe there is an increase in parvovirus cases in the spring time because more people are buying puppies than during other times of year.

In some cases, breeders provide only rabies shots and unknowing buyers aren’t aware of other potential diseases. In other situations, human companions wait to get their animal’s vaccinations until it is taken in for castration -- which usually occurs at around six to seven months of age.

“And that’s just too long to wait,” said Dr. Boardman. “It really puts the animal at risk.”

Parvovirus does not affect humans, but it easily transmitted among canines. If your dog becomes infected, bring it to a veterinary clinic as soon as is possible.

To learn more about this and other health threats for your animal, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Web site at avma.org.

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*Correction: Previously listed as South Carolina.