Vets are warning dog owners about a lethal canine virus as cases surge in NYC.
Animal Care Centers of NYC is urging vaccination to protect against parvovirus, a common, yet highly contagious illness that affects the gastrointestinal tract of dogs.
Twenty-five cases have been reported in NYC this year, up from five last year and 10 in 2021, according to ACC data provided to The Post. Three cases were recorded in 2020 and in 2019.
“We normally see a limited number of parvo cases in any given year,” Dr. Robin Brennen, ACC’s senior vice president for animal health & welfare, said in a statement in March, when most of the cases were reported. “But in 2023 we have already seen so many cases and that number continues to rise.”
While any canine can contract the virus, unvaccinated dogs and puppies less than 4 months old are at higher risk. Other concerns are backyard breeders who don’t vaccinate and owners who don’t have access to vet care.
Also known as “parvo,” canine parvovirus is spread by contact with an infected dog or its feces.
Symptoms, which include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, typically present five to seven days after exposure, and any pup suspected of having parvovirus should be isolated to prevent spread.
Dogs with confirmed parvovirus typically are hospitalized for round-the-clock care, receiving antibiotics and electrolyte therapy.
Left untreated, parvovirus has a 90% mortality rate, according to ACC.
Dr. Hannah Lau, a veterinarian at Bond Vet, told NBC New York that she saw parvovirus tests triple from February to March.
While any breed is susceptible to infection, she noted that German shepherds, American pit bull terriers, English springer spaniels, doberman pinschers and rottweilers are at heightened risk. She also assured animal lovers that the virus cannot spread to humans or other in-home pets.
“Timely and appropriate vaccination is the best way to protect your dog from parvovirus,” Lau said. “Prevention of disease is the best medicine. Schedule a wellness exam for your new puppy as soon as possible to discuss vaccination with your veterinarian.”
The spike in cases isn’t limited to the Big Apple. Veterinary hospitals across the nation are reporting an uptick in pooches with parvovirus.
Speaking with a Fox News affiliate network, Rachel Lunceford, an urgent care technician at Kansas City’s Pet Resource Center, said the clinic sees multiple cases a day — at times, as many as five or six.
Caring for the sick pups is both time-consuming and pricey.
Experts told FOX4 it could cost pet owners at least $2,000 to care for an unvaccinated dog with parvo, with many infected canines requiring 14 to 18 days of treatment.
But an effective treatment could soon be available.
Elanco Animal Health has announced it is manufacturing a novel monoclonal antibody treatment that stops the virus from entering GI cells and causing damage.
The US Department of Agriculture granted conditional approval for the IV-administered drug, which reportedly shortened recovery time of infected pups.
“Parvovirus is an unpredictable disease that causes significant strain on pet owners and is labor intensive and stressful for shelters and veterinary clinic staff,” Dr. Kristin Zersen, an assistant professor at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, said in a statement accompanying the news.
“It’s life-changing and industry-defining to be able to offer a proven solution to canine parvovirus that limits the need for hospitalization, reducing the impact this disease has on hundreds of thousands of dogs each year.”