Parvovirus claims 6 dogs at Thunder Bay animal shelter

An outbreak at a Thunder Bay animal shelter has resulted in the deaths of six dogs.

The disease, known as canine parvovirus, or parvo, entered the city's animal services building last month. Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that spreads through infected feces, and leads to severe diarrhea and often death.

So when it was discovered recently at the Thunder Bay animal services shelter, supervisor Jody Kondrat took quick action.

"Obviously our staff are working very diligently to contain this outbreak," said Kondrat.

She said the shelter is working with a local veterinary clinic to treat two of the infected animals, but six others had to be put down.

"We had a couple of young puppies here that were at high risk. Puppies are very vulnerable," she said.

Kondrat said adoptions have been suspended until the outbreak is contained, and all new strays will be taken to a private kennel.

"We'll continue to maintain a strict sanitation and disinfection protocol, she said.

Rescuer's 'worst nightmare'

People should ensure their pets' vaccinations are up-to-date to prevent the spread of parvovirus, she added.

In the five years Lawrence Hurd has been fostering dogs at his home on Thunder Bay's south side, he has never had a dog with parvo.

It's every rescuer's worst nightmare, really, he said.

Hurd said he wasn't surprised to hear about the outbreak, but it didn't particularly worry him.

"You always take a risk with taking in rescue dogs. There's always a risk," he said.

"I don't think any rescuer in the city likes the idea that parvo's active in the city. It's pretty scary stuff."

Kondrat said the animal shelter remains hopeful that we have a handle on this, and things are under control. Hopefully in 10 days to two weeks, we should be up-and-running and back to normal."