Parvo outbreak temporarily shuts down Dinwiddie Animal Shelter

DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Dinwiddie County Animal Shelter is closed temporarily due to an outbreak of the canine parvovirus, or parvo, in its dogs.

According to an Aug. 26 press release from the county, four of the 24 dogs under the shelter’s care have confirmed cases of parvo — a highly contagious virus primarily seen in dogs and wolves.

To prevent further spread of this virus, the shelter has closed its doors. The county said the shelter will stay closed for at least seven days. During this time, no animals will be taken in and none will be adopted out. After the seven-day period, the situation will be re-evaluated to determine whether the shelter can reopen or if the closure needs to be extended.

This comes less than two weeks after the Petersburg Animal Shelter had to close for the same reasons .

“The health and safety of our animals is our top priority,” said Chief Warden Alvin Langley in the release. “Citizens should know that we will continue to respond to calls during the seven-day closure; if an animal is sick or injured, we will take action to provide the necessary care. If an animal is healthy, we will provide the supplies needed to shelter that animal in place until such time as they can be safely brought into the shelter. I strongly encourage pet owners to vaccinate your pets for parvo. This is your best defense against the virus.”

According to the county, the sick dogs have been quarantined and are being treated by a veterinarian. All animals currently at the shelter will be vaccinated for parvovirus.

Additionally, shelter staff are working to deep-clean the shelter with both bleach and a disinfectant solution proven to kill the parvovirus.

Parvo is spread when directly or indirectly coming into contact with fecal matter. Its symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever or unusually low body temperature, severe and typically bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating.

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