Parvo Diagnosis Closes Lone Dog Park in Escondido

Escondido, California lies just north of San Diego. It has a population of over 140,000. The entire city has just one dog park that has now been closed over the threat of a Parvo outbreak.

From SanDiego6.com:

Parvo Diagnosis Closes Escondido Dog Park

Reported by: Brooke Beare, September 18, 2008

Escondido city officials closed the Mayflower Dog Park on Valley Parkway today after a stray dog found abandoned there this week tested positive for the Parvovirus.

The dog had bloody stool and was vomiting when an employee from the Escondido Humane Society brought it in to the shelter, which is adjacent to the park.

Robin Bettin, Assistant Director of Community Services says staff members are working to determine how to disinfect the turf at Mayflower Dog Park as quickly as possible.

“We want to research it. We want to talk to those that are experts in the field, which is not park and rec staff by any means,” said Bettin.

Parvo is an extremely contagious virus that is usually deadly for puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It is harbored in the feces of infected dogs. According to Dr. David Zanders, a veterinarian at the Academy Animal Hospital, and a board member of the Escondido Humane Society, the virus can linger in an environment for a significant amount of time. Zanders said an exposed dog might not show symptoms for five to seven days. Symptoms include loose and bloody stool.

“It's just disheartening,” said Marc Lindsey, a dog owner who showed up to run Rosie at Mayflower on Thursday. “[We] lose use of the park, and apparently don't know when it's going to come back. [Plus] the dogs that could have gotten sick, and spread [the virus] through the city.” He said the problem all comes from “one careless owner.”

Yet another example of how the actions of one irresponsible dog owner can ruin it for everyone.

For more information on Canine Parvovirus please visit the American Veterinary Medicine Association's website, or see your local animal shelter or vet.