Please be advised that there is a new Parvo Virus strain in canines in the midwest area (northern Michigan & Indiana) that has been traced to a rescue dog that originally transported from Louisiana. This strain is now sweeping our area. Please, please check your vaccine records as this strain cannot be detected by most parvo tests. If your pet has never been vaccinated for parvo, is behind in annual boosters, or is still a puppy, it is paramount that you get them vaccinated as the death toll is climbing and it is the unprotected animals that are expiring from this sickness. If your pet is less than 16 weeks old, it is one of the most susceptible; however, this strain is killing older dogs.
We start vaccinating for parvo at 6 weeks of age. No vaccine is seen by the immune system of dogs as a “permanent” vaccine until they are 16 weeks of age or older and they must have had at least one vaccine and a booster at the 16 week age. Given this new strain, we are recommending a booster for all canines regardless of age. Please call if you have any questions and our staff will be happy to assist in this.
Lastly, the parvo test we use in clinic has been shown to be effective in detecting this new strain (it takes about 15 minutes to run). Bear in mind that proper vaccination and timely boosting is paramount in prevention and our vaccines today seem to be effective for this new parvo strain.
Thank you,
Dr. Bill N. Howard, Jr.
Akron Vet Clinic
For more information, please go to https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/about/media/pressreleases/2022/08/24/update-from-the-state-vet