Agency Kills Pups With Parvovirus

The Kootenai County Humane Society killed five puppies Wednesday after they became sick with a contagious, potentially fatal disease.

Six other puppies from the same litter also were killed by their adopted owners after parvovirus was detected, said Sherwin Edwards, Kootenai Animal Shelter director. Edwards believes the virus has been contained.

A woman from Washington brought a dozen labrador-mix puppies into the office last week and left only a post office box number for an address. Six were adopted.

A Rathdrum woman picked out a pup Monday, but by Tuesday it became sick. A veterinarian determined it had the virus and needed to be euthanized. He notified the shelter.

The puppies at the shelter were killed and Edwards telephoned all the new dog owners. As of Thursday, only one puppy, adopted by an Oregon woman, was still alive.

Parvovirus causes diarrhea and vomiting. Only about 15 percent of puppies survive the virus, even after expensive treatment that includes intravenous feeding, Edwards said.

, DataTimes