Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter Closed for Two Weeks Due to Parvo

A litter of puppies turned in to the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter in Lavonia have tested positive for parvo, a deadly and contagious disease.

That means that according to Georgia Department of Agriculture regulations, the shelter must close for two weeks.

“A litter of stray puppies was brought to us by Animal Control that seemed to be in perfect health, and after their 5-day stray hold, we were sending them to a no-kill dog rescue. However, when the vet tested them, they came back positive for parvo even though while they were with us they had not shown any signs of the disease,” Shelter Director Tammie Jourdenais said.

According to the American Kennel Club website, Parvo in puppies is caused by the canine parvovirus.

The Merck Veterinary Manual classifies the virus as a disease of the stomach and small intestines, as this is where the virus does the most damage.

The virus prefers to infect the small intestine, where it destroys cells, impairs absorption, and disrupts the gut barrier. Parvo in puppies also affects the bone marrow and lymphopoietic tissues, and in some cases can also affect the heart.

This virus is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with an infected dog or by indirect contact with a contaminated object.

A puppy is exposed to the parvovirus every time he sniffs, licks, or consumes infected feces.

Indirect transmission occurs when a person who has recently been exposed to an infected dog touches a puppy, or when a puppy encounters a contaminated object, like a food or water bowl, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.

“As some of you may know, parvo is highly contagious, and non-vaccinated dogs are extremely susceptible,” Jourdenais said on the NEGAS FB page. “And strays can carry it all over town. Because of this, no matter how well we sanitize our entire shelter, there is always a chance of it spreading quickly because it can take up to 5 days for symptoms to show. We vaccinate all strays as soon as they come in our door, but if they are already carrying it, vaccines will not help.”

Jourdenais said the staff will now spend the next two weeks cleaning and disinfecting the entire shelter.

She recommends all dog and puppy owners make sure their animals are vaccinated against Parvo.

On their website, the AKC recommends puppies should be vaccinated against parvo at approximately 6, 8, and 12 weeks of age. They are vulnerable to the disease until they have received all three shots in their vaccination series, which means owners need to take extra precautions during this time to prevent their puppies from contracting the virus.

Additionally, puppies should receive a dose of canine parvovirus vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age, regardless of how many doses they received earlier, to develop adequate protection.

Jourdenais said if you have an animal to turn in to the shelter you can call them at 706-356-5363 to make an appointment to turn it in once the quarantine is lifted.

To learn more about parvo in puppies visit Parvo in Puppies