Parvovirus outbreak at Hernando County Animal Services kills 29 dogs

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. - An outbreak of parvovirus killed nearly half of 63 Shih-Tzu dogs rescued in November in Hernando County.

Twenty-nine dogs have died after Code & Animal Services staff discovered the parvovirus over the weekend.

"The staff members who have been caring for these animals for the past month are heartbroken," said Liana Teague, Code & Animal Services Manager.

Animal Services consulted with veterinarians immediately in order to develop a plan of action.

All dogs currently housed at the shelter will be vaccinated, maintaining a strict cleaning regimen with bleach solution, and euthanasia of symptomatic animals. Euthanasia is recommended to relieve suffering and curtail disease transmission. Without action, healthy animals will be put at risk and the entire shelter could become contaminated.

Because of the outbreak, adoption of the remaining Shih-Tzus is being delayed until after the New Year to allow the virus time to pass. "To adopt the pets at this time would further this tragedy by causing heartbreak for the adopters' families and possibly spreading this highly contagious illness to other household pets." said Teague. "Animal Services is relieved that the infection was found prior to the adoptions that were scheduled to occur this week."

Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the digestive system and the heart. Symptoms include rapid onset of fever, vomiting, hemorrhagic diarrhea, dehydration and death. Puppies are most susceptible to infection, however all dogs are at risk of infection if exposed to the virus.

Clinical signs can be worsened by concurrent infection or disease in the affected animal, as is the case with the Shih-Tzu dogs. The mortality rate of parvovirus in shelters can exceed 90%.

Transmission of parvovirus occurs by contact with an infected animal or feces, either directly or through secondary contamination from clothing, hands, dishes, toys, etc. Secondary contamination can also occur by rodents or insects. It is highly recommended that all pet owners vaccinate their pets against parvovirus and other diseases as vaccination is the best method of protecting pets from disease.

Anyone who adopted a pet from Hernando County Animal Services within the past 14 days should contact their veterinarian for a recommendation and should watch for the symptoms mentioned above. Animal Services will issue a media release after the holidays to provide an update on the Shih-Tzu dogs. For additional information, please call (352) 796-5062.