Local

Stray at local dog park found to have highly contagious parvovirus

LAKE FOREST PARK, Wash. — Police in Lake Forest Park are warning dog owners after a stray was found to have been infected with the parvo virus.

The virus is so contagious that the stray found at Pfingst Animal Acres Park prompted Lake Forest Park police to issue a warning to dog owners.

Parvovirus is:

  • A highly contagious viral canine disease
  • The most common cause for diarrhea in puppies under 6 months old
  • Transmitted through contact with dog feces
  • The symptoms -- lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea -- develop 3 to 7 days after infection.
  • Read more about Parvovirus here.

Puppies can be vaccinated against parvovirus -- but with the stray at the dog park testing positive, all dogs that were at the park with that dog may have come into contact with that dog's feces.

If you suspect something's wrong with your dog after being at the park, contact a veterinarian.

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