Mysterious Parvo-Like Virus Sickening, Killing Dozens of Dogs in Northern Michigan

An unknown parvo-like virus is sickening and killing dozens of dogs in northern Michigan. Animal experts explain that it causes an illness similar to canine parvovirus and was first reported in Otsego County but has now spread further north.

According to the Baker Institute for Animal Health, canine parvovirus is highly contagious and causes acute gastrointestinal illness in puppies ages six to 20 weeks old. However, older dogs can sometimes be affected also.

Rudi Hicks, director of Clare County Animal Control, told the Clare County Cleaver that the state is panicking now because of this unidentified virus believed to come from Louisiana that kills dogs within days of symptoms.

Dogs in Northern Michigan Dying From Unidentified Parvo-like Virus

Hicks said that over 30 dogs have died due to the virus and it is not yet known how it spread. Ostego County Animal Shelter director Melissa FitzGerald said it could be a different strain given its similarities to parvovirus. The unidentified virus causes an illness with bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy symptoms.

FitzGerald told USA TODAY that the virus affects puppies and older dogs. But the cases of the new virus all tested negative with parvo when brought to veterinarians. Unfortunately, no dog has survived yet from the virus as they usually die three to five days after infection.

She added that as of Monday, no dogs at the Otsego County shelter located 70 miles north of Clare County had contracted the virus. The animal shelter said that most of the dogs who were infected were under the age of two and some dogs were vaccinated.

More so, some of them have been sent to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for a necropsy that tested the dead bodies to identify the virus. FitzGerald said that the necropsy results show that it was parvo and the state veterinarians are hoping to learn more about this virus to develop a defense against it.

To date, there is no solution to this mysterious virus, but the animal shelter is in close contact with veterinarians at Gaylord, Traverse City, Grayling, Mancelona, and Indiana River to find a solution.

Professor Jane Sykes from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine told USA TODAY that there are no similar cases in California, although outbreaks like this occur periodically.

Mysterious Parvo-Like Virus Sickening, Killing Dozens of Dogs in Northern Michigan Pixabay/Engin_Akyurt

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Keeping Dogs Safe

Fitzgerald suspects that the issue will not vanish anytime soon, The Detroit News reported. She noted that it has been over a month since the first case was reported and until now it is still an issue as more dogs have been infected and died because of the virus.

Michigan state veterinarians are working hard on what they have to figure out. But the state authorities are asking people to do their part by making sure their pet is properly vaccinated.

The Otsego County Animal Shelter is hosting a drive-thru vaccine clinic for dogs every Wednesday evening until Sept. 21 to keep the virus at bay.

FitzGerald added that dog owners should keep their pets away from other dogs or areas where a lot of dogs have been, like parks, when their pet needs to take a potty break. They suspect that the virus is spreading through feces or from other dogs face to face. They recommend keeping the dogs on the sidewalks to avoid this.