Michigan mystery illness that has killed dozens of dogs identified as parvovirus

The mysterious disease that sickened and killed dozens of dogs in Michigan has been identified by state officials as canine parvovirus.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s announcement comes after an animal shelter in Otsego County, which was reported to have succumbed to the disease, tested negative for at least 30 animals.

Canine parvovirus is spread through feces and includes symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite and diarrhea.

“Canine parvovirus in dogs is a serious and highly contagious disease, but the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and veterinary professionals have extensive experience with this virus,” state veterinarian Nora Vinland said in a statement.

“We have a highly effective vaccine available to help protect dogs from the virus. Dogs that have not been fully vaccinated against this virus are most at risk,” she continued. “Dog owners across Michigan should work closely with their veterinarians to ensure that their dogs are appropriately vaccinated and given boosters in a timely manner to keep their pets safe and healthy “

Kim Dodd, director of the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, described the situation as “complicated” because although the dogs displayed clinical signs of parvovirus, they were detected by point-of-care tests performed in clinics and shelters. Constantly test negative.

“Although those tests are valuable in a clinical setting, they are not as sensitive as the clinical tests we can do here in the lab,” she said. “We continue to pursue the virus in the hopes of better understanding why those animals were testing negative on screening tests.”

But Michigan officials also stressed that “canine parvovirus is not contagious to people or other species of domestic animals.”