The Cochrane and Area Humane Society has stepped up to help during the temporary Calgary Humane Society closure.
The city’s shelter announced the temporary closure on April 24 after receiving two dogs that showed symptoms of the canine parvovirus, also known as parvo, a virus that causes inflammation of the intestines in dogs that can lead to death.
Both dogs in Calgary were euthanized after the first dog was immediately tested with positive results for parvo.
“Both cases were fairly advanced and the decision was made to humanely euthanize them so they did not suffer further,” the statement from a Calgary Humane press release.
Since the closure, the Cochrane and Area Humane Society said the staff members have been receiving requests from people who would normally utilize Calgary’s services.
“We will help out where we can. We aren’t receiving any animals from the Calgary Humane Society itself,” said Jaimie Anton, fund development officer for the shelter.
On Friday, the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) released a health advisory warning dog owners to watch for signs of canine parvovirus with recently purchased dogs.
“Puppies and young dogs with an unknown or unverified medical history are of particular concern,” said Roland Lines, spokesperson for Alberta SPCA.
“This situation is an important reminder that any operation that houses dogs is at a constant risk from this devastating disease.”
The society said they have seen cases of the parvovirus within the Cochrane shelter and treat the dogs when they can.
“We have had success in treating some of the dogs and puppies we’ve seen with parvo, but the condition of the animal needs to be assessed on a case by case basis. Unfortunately, parvovirus can progress very quickly, particularly in puppies, so treatment options depend on the stage the disease is at in an individual animal,” Anton said.
The virus is transmitted through people, animals or objects that have come into contact with infected dog feces and has a high resistance with the ability to live in an environment for months.
“I think it’s very important to remember that in all of this, no shelter or shelter worker ever makes the decision to euthanize easily,” Anton said.
“It’s always hard to make that decision and those of us in this line of work are all here for the animals, so the decisions we make are based on what is best for that animal.”
There are vaccinations for the potentially deadly disease that is recommended in the first six to eight weeks of age, with boosters at four-week intervals until the puppy is 16-20 weeks old.
“It’s very important that pets are vaccinated to prevent parvovirus from spreading as it is highly contagious,” Anton said.
At press time, the Calgary shelter was still not accepting animals.
