[Cagdu] Information about the parvo outbreak on the GDB campus

[Tina Thomas]

.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer?pagename=about_parvoupdate
Update on Canine Parvovirus at GDB
Updated January 7, 2011.
(Please see
General Information about Canine Parvovirus
 for more information.)
What caused the outbreak of the Canine Parvovirus (CPV) on the GDB
California campus?
 While we may never know the exact cause, we are working with Kate F.
Hurley, MPVM,
DVM, the director of UC Davis' Shelter Medicine Program Center for Companion
Animal
Health and her team to help determine if it is an unusual strain. The virus
is common
to most areas. Although our dogs and puppies receive proper immunization and
wonderful
care, there is any number of ways the virus could have been brought into our
population.
Have any puppies/dogs died or become sick as a result of the outbreak?
 As of January 5, 2011, five GDB puppies have died. There are an additional
30 puppies
being treated for the disease. We are working with veterinary medical
experts at
emergency clinics to help us support these puppies. No adult dogs have
become sick.
What is GDB doing to help kill/stop the virus from spreading?
 In order to reduce the risk of further exposure, we have temporarily
discontinued
tours and closed our kennels to the public. On the advice of experts from UC
Davis,
many additional bio-security protocols are being put into place. Parvocidal
products
are being used on all surfaces; stall/kennel-specific shoes/clothing are
being used,
etc. Healthy dogs and puppies being transported, placed or recalled receive
immunization
boosters.
Will dogs still be boarded and trained on the GDB campus?
 Yes, the dogs in training will still be boarded on the campus and trained.
Adult
dogs in our kennels have not been exposed to the puppies, are fully
immunized and
are not considered at risk of becoming ill or of transmitting the virus.
Training
vans are being treated with a parvocide twice per day.
Will students still be attending class at GDB during this time?
 Yes, students are able to attend class at GDB.
How will this effect puppies going into puppy raising homes?
 Puppies from infected kennels are being tested, segregated according to
risk factor,
and quarantined for at least two weeks. Unexposed puppies will receive
boosters before
being placed (We are currently instructing raisers to keep puppies from
public and
club activities for three weeks after placement.)
How long does GDB anticipate the Parvovirus outbreak to last?
 We really have no way of knowing how long the outbreak will last, but we
are confident
we will be able to bring it under control.
Will this outbreak have an impact on GDB's ability to serve clients?
 Since we have a large number of dogs and puppies at various stages of
training on
two campuses and in puppy raiser homes throughout the West, the outbreak
will not
impact our ability to serve clients. We have many options available to us in
the
way we provide training and support to our clients and constituents.
Has GDB ever experienced a CPV outbreak before?
 We have been very careful and very fortunate. The only other outbreak was
33 years
ago, the year the Parvovirus was discovered. The outbreak lasted 11 days. Of
the
75 puppies that became ill, we lost 28. Of the adult dog population, 36 had
symptoms
of vomiting and diarrhea and received hospitalization. There was no test for
CPV
at the time. The outbreak was brought under control by bleaching and
quarantine.
Today there are more effective parvocides than bleach that are being used.
How you can help:
1. Our veterinary staff is focused on keeping our puppies healthy. Please do
not call
our clinic with questions concerning the outbreak. For general questions,
please
email
information at guidedogs.com
 and we will get back to you. You may also call our general number
415-499-4000 if
you have concerns about a GDB dog/puppy. For all other general information
about
Parvo, please contact your local veterinarian.
_______________________________________________

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