Puppies with deadly disease abandoned outside a Missouri shelter. They now need help
A bundle of sick puppies was ditched in front of a Missouri shelter. Now workers are trying to save them.
Multiple dogs were infected with parvo — a canine virus that attacks the white blood cells and gastrointestinal tract of usually dogs between 6 and 20 weeks old, the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri in Springfield said in a Facebook post.
“We are sad to report that once again, multiple puppies were abandoned by our front gate earlier this week,” the shelter said in the Aug. 27 post.
“As if being unloved and unwanted isn’t bad enough, most of them have now tested positive for parvo. Parvo is a deadly, contagious disease that most commonly affects young puppies, so we immediately sprung into action to begin intensive care. They have a long fight ahead, but we are hoping for a good outcome.”
Signs of parvo, per the American Veterinary Medical Association, include:
Vomiting
Bloody diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Fever
“Now, the puppies are on multiple medications and IV fluids in an attempt to save them,” the shelter said.
Vets should be contacted immediately if a young dog begins to show symptoms of parvo since the disease spreads fast with most deaths happening within 48 to 72 hours after symptoms begin, the AVMA said.
The disease also spreads easily through a dog’s stool or even with “virus-contaminated surfaces” including kennels, food, water and even through the clothing of humans who have cared for the infected dogs.
For more information on these puppies or other animals, visit the shelter’s website.
Springfield is about a 165-mile drive southeast from Kansas City.
This story was originally published August 28, 2024 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Puppies with deadly disease abandoned outside a Missouri shelter. They now need help."