08/25/2022
Parvovirus Outbreak in Northern Michigan
There is an outbreak of canine parvovirus in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Michigan State University Diagnostic Laboratory have confirmed the illness impacting those dogs to be canine parvovirus. Please note that the affected dogs did not have a history of complete vaccination. Veterinarians are still investigating why those affected dogs did not test positive for parvovirus on standard point-of-care screening tests performed in veterinary clinics and shelters.
Parvovirus is a serious and highly contagious disease that typically affects young dogs and puppies. Symptoms of parvovirus include loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Veterinarians have a vaccine that is highly effective at protecting dogs against parvovirus. Dogs that are not fully vaccinated against canine parvovirus are at the most risk of infection and serious illness or death.
With this new information, dog owners do not need to take drastic measures or change travel plans. If your dog is fully vaccinated against canine parvovirus, they are protected against developing severe illness from this virus. Humans and other pets do not contract this virus.
Here is what you can do to help protect your pets:
1. Make sure your dogs are fully vaccinated against canine parvovirus.
2. If you have a dog or puppy that is not fully vaccinated against canine parvovirus, please avoid dog parks, campgrounds, public areas, and other places with dogs of unknown vaccination status.
3. Please call your veterinarian if your dog or puppy is showing signs of illness. We ask that you also quarantine your pet at home until deemed safe by your veterinarian to prevent the spread of disease.
4. Please clean up after your dog when walking in public and don’t allow your dog to come in contact with other animals’ f***l material.
We will continue to keep you updated about this outbreak. Our goal is to make sure that you and your pets stay safe and healthy!
https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/about/media/pressreleases/2022/08/24/update-from-the-state-vet