Parvo outbreak puts halt to dog intakes, adoptions at Henderson Humane Society

Beth Smith
Henderson

HENDERSON - After the death of seven puppies from Parvo, the Humane Society of Henderson County has ceased the intake and adoptions of dogs for 14 days.

Executive Director Angela Hagedorn said the quarantine went into effect Thursday.

"We've had seven puppies die between Tuesday and Wednesday morning because they are more susceptible to the virus. They were only old enough to have received one round of shots to prevent Parvo, but not old enough to have received all the shots necessary," she told The Gleaner Thursday afternoon.

Symptoms of Parvo include loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.

"Parvo is an extremely contagious and easily spread virus. It's a deadly virus and it can be transmitted in two different ways, direct or indirect contact," Hagedorn said in a Humane Society Facebook post.

"Direct contact occurs through the nose and mouth by infected feces which can happen when a dog sniffs or licks another dog that has been contaminated with feces or through surfaces that are contaminated. Indirect contamination occurs because it can survive on clothing, equipment, human skin and in the environment. Indirect transmission occurs when a dog comes into contact with a contaminated person, object or environment."

Henderson County Humane Society has stopped canine intakes and adoptions for 14 days due to a Parvo outbreak

"An infected dog can begin shedding the virus four-to-five days after exposure which is often before the dog starts exhibiting any clinical signs of infection. The dog will continue to shed the virus while he is sick and for up to 10 days after he has recovered," Hagedorn said.

The virility of the virus is why the Humane Society tests all dogs under the age of 1 before they are allowed in the building, she said.

"For that reason, we believe an outside source had contact with Parvo and it was brought into our building," she said.

"So for the health and safety of the dogs, we are putting them on quarantine. We won't take in any dogs or allow any to be adopted for 14 days from Thursday," Hagedorn said.

People can still bring in cats or adopt cats, she said.

The dog quarantine, Hagedorn said, "is best for the health and safety of our animals." 

Shelter and animal control employees are in overdrive in an attempt to make sure the building is decontaminated.

"We are constantly bleaching anyway, but we are even going above and beyond that to eliminate contamination in the building." 

Bleach is the only household product that kills the virus, she said.

"We should be clear in 14 days, but if we have other outbreaks the quarantine could continue," Hagedorn said. "As of right now, we don't have any sick animals, but that's why we are taking this step. I'm very serious about having the healthiest shelter that I can and the healthiest community I can."

Meanwhile, Hagedorn urged dog owners to get their pets vaccinated.

"Make sure your animals are vaccinated. Puppies need to have the full three rounds of Parvo shots. We are very fortunate to have five veterinarians in the community" who can vaccinate animals.

"The Parvo virus keeps spreading because people aren't getting their animals vaccinated," Hagedorn said. "It's as important to get them vaccinated as it is to get them spayed and neutered."