A dog in an animal shelter was diagnosed with parvovirus after showing signs of hemorrhagic diarrhea. Parvovirus is highly contagious and can persist in the environment for years. The document discusses managing the disease in the individual animal through isolation, supportive care, and antibiotics. It also discusses managing an outbreak in the shelter by isolating exposed animals, using protective equipment, thorough cleaning and disinfection, segregating young animals, reducing stress, and preventing future outbreaks through vaccination.

1. Parvovirus Outbreak Within An
Animal Shelter Environment
Tom Sparks 1006173

2. Scenario
• A recently admitted dog into the kennels
where you are the on duty vet has displayed
signs of haemorrhagic diarrohea. As part of
the diagnostic work up, a SNAP test is
undertaken, diagnosing the dog with
Parvovirus. Discuss how you would manage
the disease both within the individual animal
and in particular within the shelter.

3. The Virus
• Canine Parvo Virus Type 2 (CPV2) is a
contagious virus mainly affecting puppies,
however can affect all ages!
• Spread by direct and indirect faecal contact
from infected dogs.
• Very resistant in the environment-can last for
years!

4. Symptoms
• Depression/Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Dehydration
• Death

5. Diagnosis
• Haemagglutination
• ELISA/ “Snap”
• PCR
• Haemagglutination
• Post Mortem

6. Treatment in the Individual Animal
• Isolate
• Nursing
• Intravenous Fluids
• Intravenous antibacterials-Augmentin,
Enrofloxacin, Metronidazole
• Antimetics- metaclopramide, maropitant

7. Management within a shelter
environment

8. The Shelter Environment
• Lots animals all in the same place all within
unknown vaccination history
• Most animals will be exercised over the same
area of land where other dogs from the
shelter have been-Perfect for parvo spread!

9. Management in the Shelter
• The most important consideration is whether the
shelter can manage treatment without
contaminating the entire facility and putting
healthy animals at risk.
• This could result in an outbreak forcing
temporary closure and potential depopulation.
• If this is not possible, then sick animals should be
removed from the facility for treatment or
euthanized to relieve suffering and prevent
disease transmission.

10. Important!
• Sick animals shed infectious virus before onset of clinical
disease
• All others exposed to the sick animals either by direct
contact or fomite contact should be quarantined from the
general population for 14 days with twice daily monitoring
for appearance of clinical signs.
• If clinical signs occur, the animal should be immediately
tested and removed if positive to help reduce the infectious
dose of virus in the environment.
• Staff caring for the quarantined population should wear
PPE (hair cover, gown, gloves, booties). Handling of dogs
and cats in Canine and Feline Parvovirus in Animal Shelters
5 quarantine should be minimized.

11. Don’t forget the PPE!!

12. Cleaning!
• Parvoviruses are very durable, can persist in the
environment for years
• The minimum required contact time for bleach or
Trifectant is 10 minutes.
• Air drying is preferred if possible, but if the
animal needs to be returned to the same run or
cage, the area should be rinsed after the 10 min
contact time, then dried using a squeegee or
towel.
• Moisture favors the survival of pathogens!

13. Cleaning!
• Avoid using high pressure hoses and power
washers to clean kennels unless all dogs are
removed, because the force sprays faeces on
all surfaces and can even aerosolize fecal
matter.
• Cleaning and disinfection supplies should be
dedicated to each room and not removed for
use in other areas in order to minimize cross
contamination.

14. Prevention in the Future
• Isolation/Quarantine
• Segregate juvenile animals from adults. Puppies and kittens should
not be housed with adults. Only house puupies etc together if they
were brought into the shelter together
• Dogs and cats should be housed in separate areas because CPV-2b
has the potential to infect cats and cause panleukopenia!
• Reduce stress. The most effective way to reduce stress on animals
and staff in the shelter is to prevent crowding by practicing
population management and planned co-mingling principles.
Limiting run and cage occupancy to 1-2 compatible animals each
results in less stress and substantially reduces risk for infectious
disease.
• Clean regularly with a commercial disinfectant such as Trifectant

15. Vaccination is key!

16. References
• Cynda Crawford DVM, PhD. Canine and Feline
Parvovirus in Animal Shelters. Available:
http://www.2ndchance.info/parvo-
Maddie%27sUF.pdf. Last accessed 04/02/15.
• Kate Hurley D.V.M M.V.P.M. (2006). Controlling
Parvo: Real-Life Scenarios. Available:
http://www.animalsheltering.org/resources/
magazine/mar_apr_2007/controlling_parvo.p
df. Last accessed 04/02/15.