Dozens of dogs in Michigan have reportedly been sickened and killed by a parvovirus-like disease, local animal shelters said. The outbreak has been reported in northern and central Michigan. Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that mainly affects older canines and dogs under 2 years of age. The disease is transmitted through feces. Symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite and diarrhea. Melissa FitzGerald, Otsego County animal control and shelter director, told FOX 17 Michigan that more than 30 dogs have died from an unknown disease that appears to be similar to parvovirus. LOUISIANA MOTHER AND DAUGHTER CHARGED WITH ANIMAL HARM AFTER DOG TRAINING VIDEO SURFACES ONLINE The Otsego County Animal Shelter warned dog owners to properly vaccinate their animals. (Otsego County Animal Shelter via Facebook) Curiously, all of the dogs that died tested negative for parvovirus, despite showing signs of illness. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory are conducting tests to understand the outbreak. DOG BLESSED AFTER SHARING BED, LICKED OWNERS “What exactly is this, a Parvo strain? Is it something else? Does it combine? There are a lot of unanswered questions that they’re looking at at this point,” FitzGerald said. The disease mainly affects older canines and dogs under 2 years of age. (iStock) In the meantime, Michigan dog owners are encouraged to properly vaccinate their dogs. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Symptoms of parvovirus include fatigue, loss of appetite and diarrhea. (iStock) “Make sure they’re up to date on all their vaccinations, make sure they were properly vaccinated when you had them either when they were puppies or when they were three years old,” FitzGerald advised. “Keep your dogs close. Don’t let them smell – No shared water dishes, that sort of thing.”
