Two north Arkansas dogs have reportedly been killed by what is believed to be the parvovirus. According to KY3 news, two dogs in a Yellville shelter* were found dead when a local resident, Christina Blake, went to the pound looking to adopt an animal.
Blake says when she arrived, one dog was dead and another ill dog was beside it. Blake is reported to have left the shelter to contact the Sheriff and when they returned, the second dog was dead. Blake also says the kennel containing the dogs was covered in blood.
Though the dogs’ cause of death has not been confirmed, experts expect parvovirus to be the culprit. Dr. Robyn Theobald of the Animal Clinic of the Ozarks explains what the parvovirus is.
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Dr. Theobald says the virus is spread through the stool of an infected canine.
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The parvovirus attacks and destroys the intestinal lining of the infected animal. Once infected, however, Dr. Theoblad says it can take up to one to two weeks for the dog to show signs of infection. She says the main symptom is bloody stool. Dogs showing signs of infection should be immediately taken to a veterinary clinic to be treated and prevent further spreading of the virus.
Though the virus is one easily spread, it is also one easily prevented by vaccinations.
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Dr. Theobald also says the virus is one seen frequently in Arkansas and will only subside when owners make a more conscience effort to properly vaccinate their animals.
*A correction has been made to this story. The shelter with the reported cases was not The Have A Heart Shelter. This was a miscommunication and there is no relation to the shelter and the one mentioned in our story. We apologize for the confusion.
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