Parvo outbreak forces SLT dog park closure
By Kathryn Reed
A rash of parvo cases in South Lake Tahoe has forced the city to shutdown the dog park for the next 10 days.
The Lake Tahoe Humane Society has reported 11 cases of the potentially fatal virus in the last 10 days.
“The fatality rate is huge if it goes untreated – almost 100 percent,” Niki Congero, executive director of the South Shore humane society, told Lake Tahoe News. “The earlier someone catches it, the better chance the dog has to survive.”
The initial signs are lethargy, diarrhea – including blood in it, loss of appetite, then vomiting.
“It is like the worst kind of stomach flu,” Congero said.
Because the incubation period is seven to 10 days, that is why the dog park will be off limits that long. The city will thoroughly clean everything to ensure the transfer of the virus is not possible. One of the dogs with parvo had been at the dog park on Al Tahoe Boulevard.
It is easy for dogs to transfer the virus to one another. Usually it is through feces, just by sniffing it and getting a little on their nose, or stepping in it.
“You could go to one house, get a dog hair, go to another house and the dog hair comes off and that dog could get it,” Congero said in describing the ease with which parvovirus spreads.
“If everyone picked up their poop, this problem would not exist.”
It can spread to the coyote population, too. It is not, however, transmittable to cats or people.
Treatment includes fluids and antibiotics.
But Congero stresses it’s a lot cheaper to spend money to vaccinate dogs. Puppies should get a series of shots starting at 8 weeks, then again at 1 year, which is good for three years. Adult dogs need to keep up with the vaccinations just like other preventative care.
At boarding facilities in the area they all make sure a dog’s vaccinations are up-to-date before they are allowed in. Parvo, distemper and rabies are the big three for doggie day care centers.
“Anyone that comes in with any sickness, we turn them back away,” Paige Rice, owner of Tahoe Best Friends, told Lake Tahoe News.
People suspecting their dog has parvo should immediately call their vet. Do not go in with the dog because the vet will want to take precautions so other animals are not put in harm’s way.
Thank you VERY much for the warning, Kae!
This Parvo is deadly to dogs and is easily transmittable to other canines. KEEP YOUR DOG INSIDE THE HOUSE! Don’t spread the disease!
On that happy note, there is a wicked flu virus going around town. Wash your hands often and avoid crowded places.
Paranoid? Nope, just being careful. Stay healthy. OLS
Were each of the 11 cases in unvaccinated dogs? That would be helpful information to know.
Who the heck doesn’t vaccinate their dogs against Parvo?
When my dog turned 13, her vet suggested I stop vaccinating her. She’s over 16 now. . .
Seems criminal to not vaccinate your pup. Should be required, especially since coyotes can be wiped out by it.
Can’t force people to vaccinate their kids, you certainly can’t force them to vaccinate their pets.
The right to make stupid decisions is part of liberty.
There is a Parvo path in my neighborhood. You would think people would pick up after their dogs knowing how Parvo is spread, but they don’t. Unfortunately there are lots of dog owners who do not vaccinate their dogs, putting others in danger. Thanks for the info.
Sad that ‘part of liberty’ is the right to put OTHERS at risk.
Vaccinations should be started at 8-weeks, not 8-months.
Yes, Hmmm, it is sad. But like I said, you can’t force people not to do stupid things, unless they can be shown to be directly hurting someone else. So consequently, we each have to do whatever we must to protect ourselves and our children/pets/homes.
Yes, George is correct 7-8 weeks is the start for puppies to be vaccinates. Please talk to your vet about your dogs needs. thanks
@Dogula, agreed, but I do think that one of the functions of government is to set, regulate(!) and enforce consequences for not being responsible for the risk one exposes others to.
Hmmm is right. We don’t get to drive as fast as we want on the roadways, and there are a million other restrictions. It seems Dog vaccinations will find there way into the law books one day as well.
Personally I think there are way too many regulations these days, capital WAY. But this one seems to be a no brainer.
Yeah, everyone wants to cherry pick what they think are “good laws” to follow and whine about the ones they dont like. Imagine that…
Dan. There is the rub… one persons no brainer is another persons liberty. Look at the hysteria over the Ebola Scare and what some people were willing to do to others in the name of protection. But, this argument is as old as civilization.