The Prince Rupert branch of the SPCA will be closing its doors for at least the next week after two nursing adult terriers were diagnosed with the highly contagious and often fatal parvovirus.

Canine parvovirus is transmitted through an infected animal’s feces. The virus attacks the intestinal walls and prevents the absorption of nutrients. Infected dogs have bloody diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, abdominal pain, weight loss and fever. Treatment usually requires veterinary hospitalization, fluid therapy and antibiotics over several days. If treatment is not immediate, the prognosis is not good.

“We’re crossing our fingers that the moms and their puppies recover,” says branch manager Lindsay Vincent, noting that the two dogs and the eight puppies they were nursing have been quarantined at the local vet.

“It would be devastating to lose them, especially because parvovirus is completely preventable.”

While the other dogs in the shelter are not showing any signs of the disease, the shelter will be closed to the public and has stopped accepting stray and surrendered dogs to prevent the spread of the virus. And, given the contagious nature of the virus, Vincent is encouraging dog owners in the community to have their animals vaccinated against parvovirus.

“Canine parvovirus claims the lives of too many family pets. But it can easily be prevented.”

Anyone wishing to adopt a cat or kitten during the closure are being encouraged to visit spca.bc.ca/princerupert and call the shelter to make an arrangement to view a cat that catches their eye. However, given 90 cats in a shelter designed for 50, the local branch has also closed its doors to stray and surrendered cats.