The article below was written by Michigan Humane Vice President, Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Crystal Sapp, DVM
In light of the recent Parvovirus outbreak in northern lower Michigan, we wanted to be able to share more information about Parvovirus, vaccination considerations for your dogs, as well as the recommended vaccines schedules and other things to consider when bringing your dog out and about with you.
Here are some questions and answers to questions we are commonly asked about Parvovirus:
- Should dog owners in metro Detroit be worried that a parvo outbreak could happen here like in Otsego and Clare Counties?
- Yes, Parvovirus is highly contagious and endemic in our area. While we often see more cases in the warmer months of the year, it could be contracted any time of year as it’s spread from dog to dog via fecal-oral transmission. It is also able to survive in the environment/soil for years and is difficult to kill once in the environment. These are the reasons we recommend vaccinating for this virus as part of a core vaccination series.
- Are owned dogs usually vaccinated against parvo?
- It is part of a core vaccination that is recommended by veterinarians and usually comes in a combination vaccine you may see on your pet’s medical record as DHPP or DA2PP (Distemper virus, Parvovirus, Adenovirus Type 2, and Parainfluenza virus). Here at Michigan Humane, we follow the AAHA guidelines on vaccination recommendations and schedule so if you have adopted a pet from us, it will have been vaccinated and your paperwork should advise you on when your pet is next due for a booster. If you’ve visited our veterinary clinics, we will have also recommended this vaccine as part of your pet’s treatment plan if your pet is not currently up to date.
- Are dogs at Michigan Humane checked for parvo before they’re put up for adoption?
- We will test any dog that’s ill that has the symptoms of Parvovirus – vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia (not eating) to ensure we know how best to treat them as well as to ensure the health and safety of the other animals in our care.
- Should dog owners avoid dog parks right now?
- What’s most important is that your dog is up to date on this vaccination to help prevent him/her from becoming sick from this virus. There is more risk for any disease when dogs congregate, and we recommend speaking with your veterinarian about what vaccines are recommended for your pet as each pet’s lifestyle and needs are different.
We are also often asked about what vaccinations we recommend for pets. As stated above, we follow the American Animal Hospital Association’s guidelines (AAHA guidelines) that dogs be up to date on their core vaccinations (DHPP and Rabies vaccines) and additionally recommend they are also vaccinated for Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Canine Influenza vaccinations to help prevent the spread of disease to other dogs if they are visiting dog parks, grooming salons, or boarding/doggy daycare.
Leptospirosis is also endemic in Metro Detroit and is a bacteria that’s spread by the urine of infected wildlife/dogs. While this vaccine is listed as a lifestyle vaccine, we consider it to be part of a core vaccine recommendation here in Metro Detroit because of how frequently animals are infected in this area and also because it’s zoonotic (meaning it can be spread to humans).
The Lyme disease vaccine is also a vaccine that needs additional consideration given the tick burden we see here in Michigan. Ensuring your pet is on a good quality flea/tick preventative is essential and this vaccine should be considered for dogs that are frequently exposed to areas where they may be bitten by ticks.
To help better understand what vaccines should be given at what age and when they should be boostered, please see the AAHA core and non-core vaccines for dogs document that’s attached as well as available online. AAHA also has a Vaccine Lifestyle Calculator you and your vet can use to determine what vaccines would be recommended for your dog and cat.
Dogs and humans can also be kept safer if everyone picks up their pet’s fecal waste after elimination. In addition to viruses that can be spread via fecal-oral contact, feces can also contain intestinal parasites that can be spread from dog to dog and some can be spread from dog to human. Your veterinarian can test to see if your dog’s stool contains parasite eggs and will recommend routine deworming as they could be harboring intestinal parasites even if they aren’t shedding parasite eggs. Monthly heartworm prevention will not only kill any heartworm larvae your pet may have contracted from mosquitoes, but also usually includes a routine dewormer for intestinal parasites to help keep your pet and your household safe.
Photo Credit: Michigan Humane