Parvo Outbreak In Escambia County Florida

Escambia County is currently experiencing a very serious outbreak of a canine disease called parvovirus. This disease is spread from one dog to another directly through saliva or feces. It can also be spread indirectly in the environment, on grass or pavement. Humans can carry the virus on hands, clothing, or shoes. The disease is often quite severe with a high fever, vomiting, depression, cramping, and bloody, fluid diarrhea. These symptoms usually come three to 14 days after the dog is exposed, but sudden death is common and sometimes comes even before the other symptoms show. The disease is not contagious to people. The Escambia County Animal Shelter currently has a canine parvovirus infection rate of about four to five percent.

An especially dangerous part of the parvovirus epidemic is that some dogs can spread the disease and not appear ill. These carriers are often poorly kept dogs that are allowed by their owners to roam. These are also the dogs that often end up in shelters. With limited resources there is no room to isolate new animals.

Escambia County Animal Shelter staff and volunteers are doing everything possible to prevent the spread of the disease. Every cage, every run, every food and water bowl, every floor and wall surface is disinfected daily to kill parvovirus. The continuing sources of the disease in the shelter are those animals that are harboring the virus but do not appear sick, the four or five out of every 100 that we cannot identify.

There is a medical test for parvovirus that is very accurate late in the disease but unfortunately often will not detect the virus in its early stages. An effective vaccine against parvovirus is available, but it takes two to three weeks to become effective and relies on a healthy immune system.

Shelter staff cannot guarantee that the dog or puppy adopted has not been exposed to parvovirus. Newly adopted pets should be taken to a local veterinarian as soon as possible. If a diagnosis of parvovirus is made, understand that some cases of the disease are treatable and the animals will completely recover, but it can be costly and there are no certainties. If treatment is not possible or practical, the dog can be returned to the shelter. To protect the hundreds of other dogs in the shelter, those animals returned due to the parvovirus will be humanely euthanized.

Parvovirus is a community-wide problem. It is more apparent at shelters and pet stores due to the communicative nature of the disease, but it is still a danger even in your home. Help limit the disease by having your pets vaccinated, not allowing them to roam, and properly disposing of pet waste.