Dogs getting sick with parvo-like illness in northern Michigan, dying within 3 days

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Dogs getting sick with parvo-like illness in northern Michigan, dying within 3 days

Similar to canine parvovirus in symptoms, an unidentified illness has been sickening and killing dozens of dogs in Michigan in the past month.

It first appeared in Otsego County but has been spreading through northern Michigan.

In an article in the Clare County Cleaver, Clare County Animal Control Director Rudi Hicks said that the virus is suspected to have come from Louisiana and kills infected dogs within three days of having symptoms.

Hicks said told the Clare County Board of Commissioners that more than 30 dogs have died of the disease just in Clare County as of Thursday. She said it is unknown how the virus spreads.

“They don’t know anything," she said. "The state is in a panic right now.”

While the symptoms such as vomiting and bloody diarrhea are like Parvo, tests come back negative, so it could be a new strain or something completely different, she said.

Most of the dogs who have contracted the illness have been under the age of 2, said a Facebook post by the Otsego County Animal Shelter, and some of the dogs were vaccinated.

The shelter has been in close contact with veterinarians in Gaylord, Traverse City, Grayling, Mancelona and Indian River trying to find a solution, but there is currently no vaccine or cure.

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Hicks warned pet owners to not take their dogs to parks or on walks and to keep them at home away from other dogs.

Tay1891 on August 22nd, 2022 at 00:58 UTC »

I lost my 7 month old German Shepherd puppy on 8/3/22 after 3 days of what the vet said looked like parvo even though vaccinated. Issue is I live in South Carolina. I’m calling Michigan in the morning.

JennJayBee on August 22nd, 2022 at 00:21 UTC »

Been seeing a lot of stuff like this all over the place in various states. Here in Alabama, there have been issues with kennel cough and influenza. It's particularly been an issue with doggie daycares and dog parks, but it's even been spreading at vet clinics and to dogs who have been vaccinated.

And I know at least one of our humane society locations had a Parco outbreak last year and a distemper outbreak this year.

pattydickens on August 21st, 2022 at 22:20 UTC »

This is terrifying. I really hope they figure out what's going on before it spreads further.