Dozens of dogs killed by mysterious parvo-like illness in Michigan

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

Outbreaks have been reported in northern and central Michigan. Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects elderly dogs and dogs under the age of 2.

The disease is spread through feces. Symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite and diarrhea.

Otsego County animal control and shelter director Melissa Fitzgerald told Fox 17 Michigan that more than 30 dogs have died from an unknown disease that appears to be similar to parvovirus.

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Amazingly, all the dogs that died tested negative for parvovirus, despite showing signs of the disease.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory are both conducting tests to understand the outbreak.

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“What exactly is it, a strain of Parvo? Is it something else? Is it a joint? There are a lot of unanswered questions they’re looking at at this point,” Fitzgerald said.

The disease mainly affects elderly dogs and dogs under the age of 2.
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In the meantime, Michigan dog owners are encouraged to properly vaccinate their dogs.

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Symptoms of parvovirus include fatigue, loss of appetite and diarrhea.
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“Make sure they are up to date on all of their vaccinations, make sure they were properly vaccinated when you got them, whether it was puppies or when they were three,” Fitzgerald recommends. “Keep your dogs close. Don’t let them sniff — no common water dishes, anything like that.”