Parvovirus threat gone at shelter

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

By Masaaki Harada The Journal Gazette - Fort Wayne, IN.

The parvovirus threat is gone, and the city’s animal shelter will resume dog adoptions, Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control officials said.

After receiving reports of a parvovirus outbreak from local veterinarians and animal clinics, Animal Care & Control on Jan. 23 asked the public not to bring dogs to the shelter at 3020 Hillegas Road unless absolutely necessary.

Parvovirus causes bloody diarrhea and vomiting but cannot be spread to humans or to other animals besides dogs. Up to 85 percent of dogs that are infected and are not treated die, said Peggy Bender, humane education specialist with Animal Care & Control.

The virus is preventable by vaccination. For grown dogs, parvovirus vaccine is part of the regular shot schedule but puppies need a series of three shots at two-week intervals.

A disinfection of the shelter was completed by Thursday, Bender said, and receiving of animals is back to normal.

During the 10 days since Jan. 23, 245 dogs and cats were brought to the shelter. The number is 30 percent below the amount the Animal Care & Control normally handles, Bender said.

“We thank the community for cooperating so our staff could concentrate on an aggressive disinfection of our building,” Bender said. “We hope that pet owners see how critical vaccinations can be for animals and our community.”

The shelter anticipates people will start bringing in the animals that were not given up during the emergency over the next few days. Adoption hours are noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and