Deadly Dog Disease Runs Rampant Across This State

Dozens of dogs in Michigan have reportedly been sickened and killed by a parvovirus-like illness, local animal shelters said.

Areas in northern and central Michigan have been hit by the outbreak. Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects elderly dogs and puppies under the age of two.

The disease spreads through feces. Tiredness, loss of appetite, and diarrhea are among the symptoms.

According to Melissa FitzGerald, Otsego County’s animal control and shelter director, more than 30 dogs have died from an unidentified illness that appears to be similar to parvovirus.

Surprisingly, despite showing disease symptoms, all of the dogs that died tested negative for parvovirus.

Both the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory are conducting investigations into the outbreak.

“What exactly is it, a strain of Parvo? Is it something else? Is it combined? There’s a lot of unanswered questions that they’re looking into at this point,” FitzGerald explained.

In the meantime, dog-owners all over Michigan are strongly encouraged to their dogs’ vaccinations up to date.

“Make sure they’re up to date on all their vaccinations, make sure they were properly vaccinated when you got them whether it was when they were puppies or when they were three,” FitzGerald suggested. “Keep your dogs close. Don’t let them sniff about – No common water dishes, anything like that.”