A mystery virus sickened and killed dozens of dogs in Michigan — causing panic among animal lovers, officials said Monday.
Animal control officials told USA TODAY that the unidentified disease, which causes acute gastrointestinal problems, had caused at least 30 dog deaths in the northern part of the state.
Officials said the virus is believed to have originated from Louisiana and typically kills small dogs within 3 to 5 days. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy.
“The state is in a panic right now,” Clare County Animal Control director Rudy Hicks told Clare County Cleaver. “There’s no cure. There’s no vaccine because they haven’t identified it yet.”
Hicks said the disease is similar to parvo — which causes similar symptoms and is spread by dog-to-dog contact. The killed dogs tested negative for parvo.
The director of animal control urged dog owners in the area to keep their pets at home and away from other pups until more information emerged.
The Otsego County Animal Shelter said on Facebook that puppies and older dogs are more vulnerable to the virus, and that most of those killed were under the age of 2.
“It’s a virus like parvo, possibly a different strain,” said Melissa Fitzgerald, director of the Otsego County Animal Shelter in Gaylord, Michigan.
He said that by vaccinating dogs for parvo, pets can be saved from getting sick.
“The state vet’s office is hoping to learn more and come along to rescue as we get more samples,” she said.
(This story has not been edited by seemayo staff and is published from a rss feed)