March 7, 2007

Vaccinate Puppies and Dogs

A joint coalition of metropolitan area animal services organizations from Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties, the Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian, and the Humane Society for Southwest Washington are alerting dog owners to protect their puppies and dogs by making sure their pets get the canine parvovirus vaccine.

Several cases of canine parvovirus have been confirmed recently at the Washington County shelter in Hillsboro. Shelters in Clackamas and Multnomah counties have also seen parvovirus cases in the recent past.

"Parvovirus is a highly contagious and could be a deadly virus in puppies that have not been protected with the vaccine. It is a very serious disease," said Dr. DeBess, the Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian. Parvovirus most commonly attacks puppies less than six-months-old and dogs that have never been vaccinated. Puppies and dogs can contract and spread the disease when they come in contact with the feces of an infected dog. It can also be tracked by shoes and other fomites. DeBess advises that if your puppy is not vaccinated for parvovirus, call your veterinarian and make an appointment to get the dog vaccinated and protect it.

Symptoms of Canine Parvovirus

If dog owners see symptoms of lethargy, lack of appetite, fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, or dehydration in their dogs, they should contact a veterinarian immediately.

Certain breeds appear to be at greater risk, such as Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador retrievers.

Prevention

Vaccinating puppies and dogs is vital. "It is also vital to use the best vaccine in the market to protect your dog," said DeBess Vaccinations should begin at six to eight weeks of age with follow-up booster shots. To protect adult dogs, the pet owner should check with the dog's veterinarian to ensure that its parvovirus vaccination is up-to-date.

Until a puppy receives its complete series of parvovirus shots, owners should use caution when bringing their dogs to kennels, pet shops, parks, obedience classes, dog daycare, and grooming shops.

Animal Shelter Infection Control Protocol

Area animal shelters practice strict hygiene and infection control protocol. In Washington County's Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter, where the diseased dogs were recently impounded, the staff disinfected all inside kennels and floors and outside grounds. The animal shelter in Hillsboro closed its dog adoption center for several days and placed all dogs in isolation to reduce exposure.

"The parvovirus is everywhere in our general environment," said Washington County Animal Services manager Gary Hendel. "Every stray dog has the potential to bring it into the shelter." The parvovirus can remain infectious in ground contaminated with fecal matter for five months or more if conditions are favorable. "Owners need to protect their pets from this horrible but preventable disease," said Hendel.

Currently, all of the dog and cat adoption centers are open in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties and the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.

More Information

For more information, please call Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital at 503-579-3300

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