Barb Scott Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 All 3 of our local (west Michigan) TV stations reported an outbreak of Parvo on last night's news. They said this supposedly new form of Parvo was hitting puppy and adult dogs and those dogs who were already vaccinated against the disease. One station also reported that this strain of Parvo was imported from Europe and extremely deadly. We were planning to take a few of our dogs to the park (not a dog park) today but decided against it after hearing these reports. Is anyone aware of other outbreaks of a deadly form of parvo? Barb S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetlander Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 I just heard about this last night from a friend who forwarded this via email: "To: Local Veterinarians, Groomers, Boarding Facilities, Rescue Groups, and Shelters From: Wendy Swift DVM, Veterinary Medical Director of the HSKC Date: August 20, 2008 Re: Please Read!!!!!! New Parvo Strain Hits West Michigan "Parvo 2c has been suspected as the cause of death for at least three adult canines in Kent County and surrounding areas. Two of the three dogs had a known previous vaccine history and tested positive on the Idexx Snap Parvo Test. The most current information on Parvo 2c from the vaccine/shelter medicine specialists around the country is as follows: "Disease: Parvo 2c is a highly virulent strain of the parvo virus that is extremely fatal in puppies and adult dogs. This strain of parvo attacks the circulatory organs approximately 24 hours before attacking the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, by the time a dog is presented for lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea it is generally too late. "Diagnosis: Parvo 2c is detectable on the Idexx Snap Test, but it has been showing as a weak positive on many tests. Viral isolation is the best way to confirm the diagnosis, but it is not going to assist with diagnosis upon presentation. "Treatment: Conservative treatment with supportive care has been rarely successful. Plasma transfusions from recovered dogs have shown to yield the best treatment success at around 64% survival rate. "Prevention: Schering-Plough (SP) and Intervet vaccinations have been proven to be 100% effective in preventing this strain of parvo. If you have any questions in regards to SP vaccinations please call 1-800-224-5318 (SP technical support). Fort Dodge vaccines were effective in less than 90% of the tested dogs/puppies, Pfizer was less than 70% effective in preventing disease, and Merial was less than 50% effective. This data was obtained from an independent source, and at this time the only published data is an article from Schering-Plough (S/P). "Cleaning Protocols: There are only two products that kill this virus with a ten minute contact time. Trifectant and bleach (1/2 cup/gallon dilution) will successfully kill Parvo 2c. All other products that claim to kill parvo are not effective per Dr. Hall (Vaccination/Shelter Specialist at SP) !!!!!! "Prognosis: The prognosis is extremely poor. Most puppies or dogs die acutely from the cardiac components of the disease process. If GI signs are present, the disease has progressed and is most likely fatal. "Please feel free to call me with any questions (616) 791-8218. Over seven veterinary clinics have seen this type of disease locally. The citizens of Kent County need to be aware of the risk associated with this disease. Please inform your clients and protect the canines in your area." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sheepdoggal Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Yes, I just lost a pup 2 weeks ago and almost its littermate from it. Vet said it was a new type/strain of parvo, the signs arent the same as parvo Ive seen in the past, but all my adult dogs have been fine. It just attacked the pups. Please, anyone with young pups, not "Fully" vaccinated yet, keep them home until they are. It is a sad, ugly, destructive and expensive virus, and not all who are effected, will live through it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted August 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Thanks! According to tonight's TV news, PETS PLUS (a petfood warehouse type store) is not allowing dogs in any of their 7 area stores. This is the first time I ever remember them doing this. Barb S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sheepdoggal Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 Thats a really good idea, as thats where my pups picked it up, ( as there, and home was the only place they'd been) and it wiped out 8 other pups in the store too. I happen to groom within the pet store, and had taken my pups into my shop for baths, and they brought a sick pup in my shop for a bath, without first determining why it was sick, and in doing so, my pups came in direct contact with the sick dog, and the person handling it. Stupid #*@! people! Needless to say, because of thier informal practices, I am now looking for employment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted August 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 Darci, I'm so sorry to hear about your pup... You'd think people with a sick pup wouldn't bring it anywhere but people do some dumb things! Barb S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetlander Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 You'd think people with a sick pup wouldn't bring it anywhere but people do some dumb things! I was once in a pet store and a young couple came in, asking the clerk "What's good for a 6 week old puppy with a cold?" At least they had left the puppy home, but ARRRRGGGHHH!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sheepdoggal Posted August 24, 2008 Report Share Posted August 24, 2008 You missunderstand, it wasnt a client, my clients are smarter than that. It was the #*@! store owners, and their #*@! employees! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Watch Debatable Posted August 29, 2008 Report Share Posted August 29, 2008 From Snopes... er, Pet Connection: The "new" parvo revisited — and the sky is still not falling By Christie Keith August 28, 2008 A frantic email supposedly originating from the Humane Society of Kent County in Michigan started making the rounds this week. It warned of a "new" strain of parvo against which current vaccines didn't provide protection. Sound familiar? It should. This is the same "new" parvo that's been around for 7 years now, but just last February there was an internet explosion of worry about it, due to a press release about a new lab test that came with some unfortunately inflammatory language and details. The mass-forwarded email ostensibly came from a veterinarian at HSKC, and it was quite alarming, suggesting that many vaccines didn't provide coverage against this "new" strain of parvo, and that it was particularly deadly. That email was, of course, considerably more alarming than the actual press release (PDF) from HSKC, which warned of a nasty parvo outbreak at the shelter and limitations on animal surrenders and shelter hours while they dealt with it. Vets in the area where HSKC is located got together this week to discuss the outbreak, and they, along with the shelter, issued a new press release (PDF) yesterday: There has NOT been an obvious increase in the number of canine parvoviral infections in properly immunized dogs this season. However, dogs that are not appropriately vaccinated may run a very high risk of parvoviral infection. This disease is a potentially devastating, life-threatening illness. There have been no confirmed cases of the new C2 strain of canine parvovirus in Michigan. This strain of the virus has been isolated in Europe and in 12 other US states and has been present for 7+ years. Currently, it appears that properly immunized dogs are protected from the C2 strain of parvovirus. It is imperative that dogs be properly immunized in order to have the best chance of protection from all forms of parvovirus. All the vaccines currently being used by area veterinarians are protective against the 2C strain of parvovirus (providing the proper vaccination protocols are followed). Unvaccinated puppies and unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated adults dogs are at greatest risk for parvovirus and should be seen by their veterinarian as soon as possible. So there you have it. Just like last time, when I wrote about this same subject. I realize these types of messages don't have the wings that the more alarming ones do, but hopefully when someone on your dog email list or at the dog park tells you the sky is falling, you can at least say, no, actually… it's not. Yes, there are testing issues related to this virus, but it's no more deadly than the already-deadly-enough parvovirus in dogs, and the main pets at risk are, as always with parvo, young puppies. My original article on the "new parvo" scare is here. My interview with veterinary clinical virologist Dr. Melissa Kennedy is here. Spread the word! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted August 29, 2008 Report Share Posted August 29, 2008 Hmmmm...maybe the discussion just needs to remove the word "new," and then the rest remains fairly relevant, no? Pups are at risk, even pups who may have received a vaccine (or several vaccines if the pup was quite young when it received them). I certainly didn't know that a last parvo vaccine needed to be given after 16 to 20 weeks of age, and the protocol for the vaccine I used doesn't state that (it says that the vaccine is USDA-approved to confer immunity for 3 years when the last vaccine is given after 12 weeks of age). So one has to wonder where the correct information can be found.... J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms.DaisyDuke Posted August 29, 2008 Report Share Posted August 29, 2008 We are also having a huge outbreak of Parvo in Calgary. Seems people aren't paying attention to their vets when being told not to take un-vaccinated pups to large public off leash areas and then there are the people who just don't care to vaccinate period. It's sad. We're just going to steer clear of the large off leash areas for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted August 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2008 We had our 9 year old BC re-vaccinated last Monday (she's the only one except for our 14 year old who doesn't get yearly vaccinations) and my friend had the titers done on her goldens, but all of the local vets we've talked to seem to agree with the SNOPES report and seem to think the vet at the Humane Society was over-reacting when she sent out that letter. Now there's a respiratory thing going on that's closed down the Animal Shelter. Kent County, MI seems to be a very unhealthy spot for dogs! Barb S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetlander Posted August 29, 2008 Report Share Posted August 29, 2008 all of the local vets we've talked to seem to agree with the SNOPES report and seem to think the vet at the Humane Society was over-reacting when she sent out that letter. Now there's a respiratory thing going on that's closed down the Animal Shelter. Kent County, MI seems to be a very unhealthy spot for dogs! That's what Quinn's holistic vet said when I talked to her this week. She's in Grand Rapids and felt the media really blew it out of proportion. She said that whenever you see an illness in a shelter situation, you always need to consider the stress and conditions the dogs are in. A friend talked to her very traditional vet and he said the same thing. What a relief. I was thinking maybe I should put Quinn in a bubble or a deep sea diving suit. His immune system is still vulnerable enough that I was feeling damned if I do or don't as far as whether to vaccinate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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