Neighbors living around 4th Avenue in Altoona say dogs in the area are at risk of Parvo, a fatal and contagious virus.

 

Dr. Brad Kissell, a veterinarian at the Sylvan Veterinary Hospital, said Parvo is a “gastrointestinal virus that is transmitted from fecal oral route.”

 

Karen Salsgiver said her dog, Sarge, caught the virus shortly after other dogs in her neighborhood died from it.

 

She said he wasn’t aware of the illness before but urges other dog owners to look into it and get their pets vaccinated.

 

Dr. Kissell said the virus spreads “if one dog has the virus and they’re shedding the virus in that neighborhood and people are walking their unvaccinated dogs in that area, that’s why you might see a localized breakout for sure.”

 

He added that the most common symptoms to look for are a decrease in appetite, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

 

Those symptoms can lead to extensive dehydration which can be life threatening.

 

Dominick Holland, an Altoona resident, said he thinks three of his dogs died from Parvo this summer.

 

Dr. Kissell said vaccination is the best way to prevent the infection entirely.

 

Salsgiver said she wishes she had known sooner because “if they don’t have their shots, they need to get them done. Because it’s more expensive if you don’t.”

 

Dogs diagnosed with the virus are treated wish plenty of fluids, antibiotics, and anti-nausea medications, but most cases are fatal if not caught early.

 

There haven’t been any other reports of the virus outside that neighborhood in Altoona. 

 

Dr. Kissel said that the cost for the Parvo vaccination can range from $15-$30.

 

 

Update:  Thursday 12:20 p.m. Karen Salsgiver informed us that her dog Sarge passed away not long after our story aired.