NEGA Animal Shelter Closed for Two Weeks Due to Parvo
It could not have come at a worse time.
The Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter in Lavonia, already overcrowded with dogs desperately needing homes, has been forced to close for two weeks due to an outbreak of the deadly parvovirus.
The shelter staff has been working hard to raise money to build a new adoption wing, which would eliminate having to quarantine healthy adoptable dogs from any parvo outbreak.
But until that wing is completed, the shelter, by Georgia law, must close for two weeks and quarantine existing dogs to keep the virus from infecting any new dogs or puppies coming to the shelter.
According to the American Kennel Club website, Parvo in puppies is caused by the canine parvovirus.
Consider adopting from your local animal shelter instead of online
The Merck Veterinary Manual classifies the virus as a disease of the stomach and small intestines, as this is where the virus does the most damage.
The virus prefers to infect the small intestine, where it destroys cells, impairs absorption, and disrupts the gut barrier. Parvo in puppies also affects the bone marrow and lymphopoietic tissues, and in some cases can also affect the heart.
This virus is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with an infected dog or by indirect contact with a contaminated object.
A puppy is exposed to the parvovirus every time he sniffs, licks, or consumes infected feces.
That’s why it’s so important to keep litters of puppies in a clean, warm environment and pick up any dog feces, and disinfect the area where the puppies and adult dogs are kept as soon as possible.
Indirect transmission occurs when a person who has recently been exposed to an infected dog touches a puppy, or when a puppy encounters a contaminated object, like a food or water bowl, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.
Meantime, Jourdenais said due to the outbreak, they are in more than ever of cleaning supplies, and dog and cat food.
Anyone with donations can contact Jourdenais on her cell at 706-988-4148 to set up a time to drop them off.