Dog owners, HOA concerned about parvovirus

A recent surge in parvovirus cases has gotten the attention of dog owners and at least one homeowners association.

Parvovirus, commonly referred to as parvo, is a viral disease that typically affects puppies, though adult dogs can contract it as well. Peteducation.com calls it a “highly contagious disease characterized by diarrhea that is often bloody and is caused by a pathogen called canine parvovirus, Type 2 (CPV-2).”

In just the last couple weeks, Maricopa Animal Hospital and Maricopa Wells Veterinary Hospital have seen approximately 32 dogs with parvo, almost all of which were nine-months-old or younger. At least 10 of the pets have died or were euthanized because of the disease.

The account of one of these was posted on the inmaricopa.com Forum: “Our three-month-old puppy ‘Brodie’ died from parvo on 11/20/07. He never left our house except for playing in the retention lot on the corner of Kristina and N. Smith directly next to our house. He also had two (out of three) of his puppy shots. He started throwing up early Saturday morning but seemed okay on Sunday. Monday night he looked awful so I made him a vet appointment on Tuesday morning. By 2 p.m. Tuesday he had passed away… Our family is very sad for our loss so I wanted to make sure everyone can prevent losing one of their own.”

A disproportionate number of the animals may have contracted the disease in the Maricopa Meadows community. “There seems to be many cases coming from that area; either people who live nearby or people who have taken their pets to the park,” Dr. Lora Schelle of Maricopa Animal Hospital said.

Celeste Interrante, a member of the Maricopa Meadows Homeowners Association board of directors, said the community is researching environmental treatments and is planning an emergency meeting in the next 72 hours to address the issue. She admitted that despite their proactive efforts, there “is no sure-fire way to eradicate it.”

That’s because parvo could be anywhere other dogs have previously been, according to Dr. Wendy Villalba of Maricopa Wells Veterinary Hospital. She said Maricopa is especially susceptible because of the relatively high number of stray dogs and coyotes in the area.

“Parvo virus is very resistant and lives in the environment for years and years and years,” Villabla said, making effective treatment of the ground virtually impossible.

Villalba noted dogs typically contract it from the ground, then they lick their feet, infecting themselves. “All a puppy has to do is walk through an area where there are virus particles.”

“We’re seeing a lot of sick puppies,” Villalba said. “This is the season. Every year we see a lot of parvo.”

Villalba said the peak time for parvo cases is when the weather changes in the fall and spring and that it will last “until we get real cold weather and then it tapers off real quick.”

“The sad thing about parvo is it’s extremely preventable,” according to Villalba. She suggests a series of vaccines every 3-4 weeks beginning at 7-8 weeks old until at least 16 weeks. And until the series is complete, “Do not take your puppy past your front door.”

“It’s easy and cheap to prevent and expensive and heart-breaking to treat,” Villalba warned. “But it is very treatable.”

Distemper-parvo vaccines from the local vets cost around $17 each plus an exam fee of $29 to $39. Villalba pointed out that other clinics and the Arizona Humane Society offer even cheaper alternatives. Plus, owners can administer the vaccines themselves, but proper handling of the vaccine is a must.

“There’s no excuse for not having your puppy vaccinated,” she said.