Parvo-virus is a viral disease that effects dogs and can lead to sudden death.
Just last week a St. George woman adopted a puppy from a local animal shelter who she says was infected with the disease and now she wants to know why she wasn't given the heads up.
Marley is a 7 month old boxer, April Baldwin adopted Marley from the St. George animal shelter last week but the next day Marley wasn’t feeling so well.
When checked, A local veterinarian told April that Marley had Parvo, a virus that attacks the lining of the digestive system. It causes dogs and puppies to not be able to absorb nutrients or liquids Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite. Secondary symptoms appear as severe gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and bloody diarrhea, in many cases, dehydration, shock, and death.
Shelter officials say they had an outbreak over a month ago but hadn’t had signs of the illness for quite some time.
April just wished someone would have told her there had been an outbreak so that she wouldn’t have brought her dog around other dogs.
Shelter officials say they only adopt out healthy dogs but if the dog isn’t showing signs when at the shelter there isn’t much they can do.
The St. George Shelter says that they do offer a free checkup with every adoption but many don’t take them up on the offer. If a dog does test positive for the illness immediately after leaving the shelter, the new owners can return the dog for a partial refund.
If the owner decides to keep the dog, they are responsible for all of the expenses.