More parvo cases at local shelter

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - WAVY.com has confirmed a second local animal shelter has recently dealt with an outbreak of the contagious parvo virus.

The Peninsula Society for the Protection of Animals has confirmed its vets were forced to euthanize two dogs in the last month because they became ill with parvo.  Denise Waters with the Peninsula SPCA told WAVY.com, "In the last two weeks we have had one confirmed case of parvo and in the last four weeks we've had two cases."

The Suffolk Animal Shelter has also had to recently euthanize puppies with parvo.

WAVY.com broke the story Tuesday that the Suffolk Animal Shelter has temporarily closed its doors due to an outbreak of parvo.  Vets at the Suffolk shelter had to euthanize 12 puppies with the virus after they showed the classic symptoms of diarrhea and vomitting.

A vet from the Office of the State Veterinarian visited the Suffolk shelter Friday afternoon, according to city spokesperson Debbie George.  The vet made suggestions on ways to further improve the shelter's cleaning regimen in hopes of preventing any further outbreaks.

George said the shelter is taking an "active and aggressive role in addressing the issue since the discovery of the disease."  The shelter is working to clean the facility thoroughly and hopes to reopen Monday, July 6, according to George.

George and Waters both said parvo is an unfortunate reality for animal shelters and that despite their daily cleaning schedules, shelters must deal with parvo on occasion.

Canine parvovirus is a contagious virus which mainly affects dogs. The disease is highly contagious and can be spread from dog to dog through either direct or indirect contact with feces or vomit. Puppies are especially vulnerable.

The Suffolk Animal Shelter has temporarily halted adoptions. George says the shelter will continue to accept animals in emergency situations, but asks any animal owner considering bringing their dog or cat to the shelter to hold off if possible until the shelter is rid of the virus and able to reopen.

The Peninsula SPCA is not currently dealing with any cases of parvo, according to Waters. She said the shelter is actively trying to adopt its animals out to caring families.

www.peninsulaspca.com

http://www.suffolk.va.us/anml_ctrl