Parvovirus Outbreak Within An Animal Shelter Environment

Tom Sparks 1006173

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.

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!

Symptoms

• Depression/Lethargy• Vomiting• Diarrhoea• Dehydration• Death

Diagnosis

• Haemagglutination• ELISA/ “Snap”• PCR

• Haemagglutination

• Post Mortem

Treatment in the Individual Animal

• Isolate• Nursing• Intravenous Fluids • Intravenous antibacterials-Augmentin,

Enrofloxacin, Metronidazole• Antimetics- metaclopramide, maropitant

Management within a shelter environment

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!

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.

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.

Don’t forget the PPE!!

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!

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.

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

Vaccination is key!

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.pdf. Last accessed 04/02/15.