Parvo infected pups at Meyers shelter died

Updated March 3:

El Dorado County officials neglected to inform the public until today that the two dogs that had parvo were actually two puppies that had died by the time they sent out the notice last week.

“We did not feel that information was relevant as the primary purpose was to notify the public that the facility kennels were closed and to emphasize the importance of prevention,” Margaret Williams, spokeswoman for the El Dorado County Health & Human Services Agency, told Lake Tahoe News. “In addition to the two puppies, we were informed of two dogs that were impounded at the shelter but released to their owner on Feb. 18. These dogs came down with parvovirus after leaving the shelter. We are not certain if they acquired the virus at the shelter or through another contact in the community. We believe one of those dogs is doing well and recovering, and one has since passed.”

The remaining six dogs at the shelter are healthy, however adoption of dogs at the Meyers shelter have been suspended until March 11.

——

Dog adoptions at the animal shelter in Meyers have been suspended because of two cases of parvo this week.

The dog kennel area at the shelter will be closed until March 11 while shelter staff investigate, perform additional deep cleaning and disinfecting of all kennels and monitor the current dogs on site.

“We want to keep a watchful eye on the dogs and take every precaution to ensure that they are healthy,” said Robert Gerat, supervising animal services officer in South Lake Tahoe, said in a statement.

The business office and cat adoption area will remain open.

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that can produce life-threatening illness in dogs. The virus can be spread to other dogs through direct contact with an infected dog’s feces. Symptoms of parvovirus typically include lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite and bloody diarrhea that can lead to dehydration.