LAHARPE — A parvovirus outbreak has prompted Allen County Animal Rescue Facility officials to close the shelter’s doors to the public until May 4.
In a Facebook post Thursday, ACARF said the facility will not accept any animals during the closure.
Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can affect all dogs, but is particularly lethal to unvaccinated animals and puppies under 1 year of age.
Brittni Dilley, ACARF director, said a litter of puppies recently brought into the shelter had tested positive for parvo.
The puppies were being kept in isolation — the normal practice for all incoming animals — but when two others already in the shelter became infected, the decision was made to shut down the building.
“Even if they are isolated, it can happen,” she said. “Just one little thing can go wrong.”
Workers will bring a change of clothes for handling the infected animals, but even that may not be enough, Dilley warned.
“It doesn’t take much for it to spread.”
On the bright side, two of the puppies that have tested positive are still active and eating as a healthy animal would.
Two others have shown signs of lethargy, but are otherwise eating and drinking.
The two worst cases are receiving extra fluids, including anti-nausea medicine, as workers strive to keep them hydrated.
Neither is sickened to the point of needing hospitalization, Dilley said, an encouraging sign, “but it’s too soon to tell. They’re not out of the woods by any means.”
Dehydration is the biggest danger.
In most cases, Dilley said the animal’s fate should be known within a week of the initial diagnosis.
“You can have a puppy who looks to be doing great, but then the next day just tank,” she warned.
During ACARF’s closure, dogs captured by Iola’s animal control officer are being kept at Iola Animal Clinic, Dilley said.
Meanwhile, workers will work to disinfect the building from top to bottom while the shelter is closed to the public.
THE BEST protection against parvovirus is getting the animal vaccinated, Dilley said.
A series of three vaccination shots as puppies and an annual booster shot after that helps the animal maintain enough antibodies to ward off the virus.
