A mysterious disease is affecting dogs in Michigan, and some cases have been fatal. It is a parvovirus-like disease that causes vomiting and bloody stools.
Parvovirus is highly contagious in dogs and is common in Michigan. A vaccine is available and the virus cannot be transmitted to other animals or humans.
Otsego County Animal Control and Shelter Director Melissa Fitzgerald told CBS News there have been more than 30 deaths from the disease in Otsego County. At least 10 deaths were reported in Clare County and 10 in Ostego County, but Fitzgerald said there could be more.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development She said she got the message A dog in northern Michigan had vomiting and diarrhea. These are common symptoms of canine parvovirus, but the animal has been tested negative for parvovirus at the veterinary clinic.
Other animal control agencies in northern Michigan have reported dogs with the same symptoms and other commonly associated dogs. ParvoFor example, lethargy and lack of appetite. The cause of the symptoms has not been determined.
The State Department is working with partners such as the Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers, Michigan State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the USDA to learn more about the disease, but they are still in the early stages of their investigation.
There were samples Submitted to State University Laboratory State Veterinarian Nora Weinland said in a statement that the dogs tested positive for parvovirus, but more results are pending.
“When MDARD first became aware of these cases in northern Michigan, we immediately contacted the appropriate veterinarians and animal shelters and began responding. Animal husbandry and public health are one of the cornerstones of the department, but it is a collaborative effort. the dog Pet owners should make sure their pets are up-to-date with vaccinations, as this is the first step in keeping your pet healthy.
Category Pet owners are encouraged To maintain their dogs’ daily vaccinations and pet care, keep unvaccinated puppies away from other dogs and away from signs of illness.
Earlier this month, the Ostego County Animal Shelter released information about a mysterious disease affecting dogs in the area, saying several dogs showed parvo-like symptoms but tested negative. “Most of these dogs passed within 3 days,” the animal shelter wrote on Facebook. “Most of these dogs are under two years old. Some dogs are vaccinated.
“No one has an answer. My best guess is the Parvo bloodline, the sanctuary He said He added that until then they hadn’t talked about the disease “because we really didn’t know anything.”
The animal shelter has been in close contact with veterinarians in surrounding cities to find Gaylord, Traverse City, Grayling, Mancillon and Indian River, and they said there were no sick dogs in any area.
The animal shelter was established last Friday Modernization, the disease does not affect some breeds more than others, and the disease has been found in dogs from many areas around north-central Michigan. At the time, the shelter said that while baffling disease had killed several dogs in the area, it had never seen a dog that had been “properly vaccinated” die. Clare County Animal Control Director Rudy Hicks said last week that all dogs that showed symptoms died, regardless of vaccine status. Clair Claver County.
Although the cause is not yet known, the shelter said the illness may be a strain of parvovirus. She also noted that there are “several” canine diseases with similar symptoms to parvovirus, so veterinarians may treat individual cases differently. However, the shelter encouraged people to properly vaccinate their dogs against parvovirus. Otsego County Animal Control and Shelter will be hosting a parvovirus vaccine clinic this week on Wednesday, August 24th at the Otsego County Fire Department.
CBS News has reached out to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for a response.
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