Terrible Parvovirus Outbreak in Washington state

[Doberluv]

I just made a thread and it seems to have disappeared. Weird. So, here it is again:

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/d...orries-owners/

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — An outbreak of canine virus in the Puget Sound region has dog owners nervous.

Parvovirus is highly contagious, can be deadly for young dogs and can live in dirty areas for a long time, the Everett Herald reported Saturday (http://bit.ly/SnLDBm).

The discovery of the virus in the area prompted the cities of Everett and Mukilteo to close municipal off-leash dog parks this week. There have been unconfirmed reports of dogs becoming ill after visiting an Everett dog park, city spokeswoman Kate Reardon said.

In Seattle, there has been a spike in the number of reported cases.

After the cities of Everett and Mukilteo closed municipal off-leash dog parks this week, Cheryl Campbell of Mukilteo immediately called her veterinarian, Thomas Koenig, in Everett, for more information.

Campbell's beagles are up-to-date in all of their vaccines, she was assured.

"My vet said the virus can stay in dirt for very long time, so I am keeping my dogs out of the off-leash parks as long as I can," Campbell said. "I am so angry with people who bring sick dogs to public places. If you choose not to vaccinate, you not only are putting your dog at risk, but also hundreds of other dogs."

Koenig said he was not aware of an outbreak of parvovirus in Snohomish County. In Seattle, however, there has been a spike in the number of reported cases.

"Dog stool in this rainy weather can be contagious for six months," Koenig said. "Dogs without vaccinations could be the problem. Get your dog vaccinated if you aren't sure if it's been done."

At the Washington State Veterinary Medicine Association office in Pullman, people are keeping an eye on the King County outbreak.

"It's important to note that parvovirus is in the environment all the time and that outbreaks occur sporadically," association spokesman Charlie Powell said. "Unvaccinated dogs are at risk, but some dogs who have the vaccine may not even be able to fight it. There is no way to avoid the risk of catching parvo, but you can keep your dog out of kennels and boarding facilities where parvovirus has been present."

"However, there is no way to tell whether the virus is at the park two weeks from now. It's like saying we can control the common cold," Powell said. "You can vaccinate, sanitize water dishes and living areas and quarantine sick animals, but that's about it."

He added dogs can survive parvovirus, "but it's really hard on them."

Everett officials are keeping dog parks closed until further notice, while information on the parvo outbreak is gathered, Reardon said.

At the off-leash dog park along the beach in Edmonds on Friday, Jim and Anna Drake let their dogs Bix and Lennie run in the rain and wind.

"It was scary to hear about the outbreak," said Jim Drake, of Edmonds. "But we verified that our dogs are vaccinated. That's about all you can do. We were willing to come out to the park today because we knew that not a lot of dogs would be here."

Colt Mace, also of Edmonds, said he is not worried about his dog, Alpha.

"He's vaccinated and he is old," Mace said. "Where I come from in Eastern Oregon, parvo is just part of nature. You take your dog home and nurse him back to health."


Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/d...#ixzz2Elu8r4NW

This is terrible...so wide spread all over the Puget Sound region. They're closing dog parks all over. I wonder if I should get my adult dogs vaccinated. They haven't been since they were very young. I know it mostly affects puppys, but what about senior dogs? I am pretty sure it's possible to get them too sometimes.

And contemplating getting a new puppy or young adult, forget it, at least for some time, since the virus can stay in the soil for a very long time. And young dogs especially, even adults need socialization. This is very distressing. What would you do? Should I stop taking my dogs for walks?

I was a little alarmed....this past week end, they both had diarrhea...not completely liquid, but very, very soft. My daughter and I did give them some hand-outs of the bacon we were cooking. And it had pepper in it. But usually my dogs have stomachs of lead. Maybe we gave them too much though. They didn't act sick in any other way, just frequent, loose stools. I gave them pumpkin and they're seemingly back to normal now.

So, if you're thinking about traveling to Washington, (I think it's mostly on this west side of the mountains) and you have a puppy, think again. How awful this is!

[Renee750il]

I wonder if it's related to the outbreak at the show that was posted about earlier?

[Doberluv]

It could be. Where was the show? I guess it doesn't matter. All it takes is one or two dogs. It can spread like wild fire.

[AdrianneIsabel]

Sad but I wouldn't change what you're doing for the most part, maybe some extra cleaning of paws/feet but thats it..

[joce]

Our vet said its mostly black and tan dogs and some certain breeds other than dobes and rotts, but I can't remember which, that need boosters when its going around. But if its bad its likely a new strain like it was around here last time and a booster won't do anything anyway. Just taking the dogs into the vet will put them at risk for catching something. Just be very very cautious. sucks because they can get it from anywhere

[Doberluv]

http://www.king5.com/community/blogs...179863261.html

Looks like the origin was the Puyallup pet expo probably.

[Doberluv]

Which Dogs Are Prone to Parvovirus?

Puppies, adolescent dogs and canines who are not vaccinated are most susceptible to the virus. The canine parvovirus affects most members of the dog family (wolves, coyotes, foxes, etc.). Breeds at a higher risk are Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, Labrador retrievers, American Staffordshire terriers and German shepherds.
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-ca...arvovirus.aspx

I'm not sure if that is true about some breeds being more prone. But it could be.

[joce]

Just google black and tan and parvo. ton of info out there.


http://workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm#susceptible_breeds

Some of the links I just read said beagles to, never heard that but did see a lot at the vet that had it as well as bostons.

Which if you think about it black being in the color being link to them getting ill easier is odd since german shepherd and some other breeds are linked closer to wolves than others??

I know our shepherd hoarder here is constantly loosing puppies to parvo and tossing them in the creek

[AdrianneIsabel]

Pit bulls have been known for having weakened immune systems and susceptible to parvo for a long time. It's been blamed on the heavy inbreeding but I'm not sure about proof.

[Kalyxa]

I wonder if SeaTac airport will be a problem. My dad is flying through there tomorrow morning with his dog...