An outbreak of the potentially deadly parvovirus has been reported among dogs in Santa Maria, and officials are urging owners to have their dogs vaccinated against the disease.

The Santa Maria animal shelter run by Santa Barbara County Animal Services and veterinary offices in the area reported Tuesday a steep increase in the number of dogs infected with the virus, which is transmitted through feces. It can cause vomiting and bloody diarrhea, dehydration, shock or even death in dogs.

Vaccinations against parvo are a key component in stopping the spread of the virus, according to those close to the outbreak.

Initial symptoms of the virus can include high fever, lethargy, depression and loss of appetite.

Parvovirus, which attacks the lining of a dog's digestive system, preventing the absorption of nutrients, is particularly prevalent among puppies.

Jan Glick, animal services director for Santa Barbara County, said that in the county the increase in parvo incidents has been reported only in Santa Maria. Most Santa Maria veterinarian offices reported seeing a lot of parvo, Glick said.

She said the recent surge in parvo cases was the most serious she could recall in her eight years with county animal services.

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“This is always a concern at an animal shelter, because we are a place where people drop off animals ... so we always try to ensure the health of all the animals coming in,” Glick said.

As of Tuesday, about a dozen dogs had become sick with the virus at the Santa Maria animal shelter, she said, and close to that number of dogs were euthanized due to the virus.

Parvo-infected dogs at the shelter are usually euthanized, Glick said, because of the lethality of the virus and the potential for transmission at the shelter. In addition, the shelter does not have the ability to treat the animals on site, she said.

Three of the shelter's eight rooms used for dogs had been quarantined Tuesday because sick dogs had been in them, she said.

Glick said county animal services have identified three streets in Santa Maria where they believe dogs might be picking up the virus - Alvin Avenue, Railroad Avenue and Hermosa Street.

Janice Seidenberg, office manager at the Animal Clinic of Santa Maria, said the office usually sees from one to a few cases of parvo a month, but have lately been getting about four cases a day.

The cases were all among dogs not vaccinated against parvo, she said.

Infected animals were contained in an isolation room at the clinic, and people entering and exiting the room wore protective clothing, she said.

“It's just been massive recently,” added Heather Vincent, a receptionist at the clinic.

All Valley Pet Hospital in Santa Maria also reported a surge in parvo cases.

“We keep seeing all kinds of puppies with it,” said receptionist Cindy Swartz.

The hospital saw four cases in the last week, and the infected animals were all from different areas, she said.

“And it doesn't matter what breed of dog.”

Glick encouraged owners of unvaccinated puppies to avoid dog parks and other places dogs go in an effort to avoid having their puppy contract the virus.

She especially urged dog owners to have their animals vaccinated against the parvovirus at their local veterinarian's office.

“It's a highly effective vaccine,” she said.

Vets typically recommend that a puppy be vaccinated against parvo at six weeks, then every three to four weeks after that until the dog is 20 weeks old, Glick said. After 20 weeks, vets usually encourage an annual parvo vaccine, she said.

Glick said that owners of dogs who exhibit parvovirus symptoms should contact their veterinarian.

Samantha Yale can be reached at 739-2159 or syale@santamariatimes.com.

September 12, 2007