Mystery Disease Killing Dogs In Northern Michigan Identified As Parvovirus

MICHIGAN — Authorities have identified the mysterious illness killing dozens of dogs across northern Michigan as canine parvovirus.

Over 50 dogs in Otsego and Clare counties died after contracting the disease, local officials reported in recent weeks, noting the illness mainly affected elderly dogs and those under 2, causing vomiting and bloody diarrhea before leaving them dead in a matter of days.

The symptoms were typical of parvovirus but dogs consistently tested negative for the disease in clinics and shelters, according to Dr. Kim Dodd, director of the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

“While those tests are valuable in the clinical setting, they are not as sensitive as the diagnostic tests we can perform here in the laboratory,” Dodd said in a state news release. “We continue to further characterize the virus in hopes of better understanding why those animals were testing negative on screening tests.”

While parvovirus is severe and highly contagious in dogs, veterinarians have extensive experience treating it, according to State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, who noted an effective vaccine is available. The dogs who tested positive for the virus through Michigan State were not fully vaccinated.

“Dogs that are not fully vaccinated against this virus are the most at risk,” Wineland said in the news release. “Dog owners across Michigan must work closely with their veterinarians to ensure their dogs are appropriately vaccinated and given timely boosters to keep their pets safe and healthy.”

The discovery of the new cases should not cause dog owners to drastically change how they care for their pets or where they plan to travel, according to the news release, which said if dogs are fully vaccinated, they are protected against severe illness. Canine parvovirus is not contagious to people or other species of domestic animals.

The following precautions are recommended:

• Keep up with routine vaccinations by ensuring dogs and puppies are vaccinated against parvovirus, rabies, distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis.
• Have dogs and puppies fully vaccinated before allowing them to interact with other animals.
• Keep dogs and puppies at home and away from other dogs if they are exhibiting signs of illness and contact a veterinarian.
• Be sure to clean up after pets in public.