LANSING, MI— State and federal agencies are investigating an unknown illness that’s sickened dogs in northern Michigan and killed at least 30 canines in one county after they exhibited signs of a parvo-like illness.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said it’s working with local animal control shelters, veterinarians, Michigan State University’s veterinary laboratory, and other partners on testing to determine the illness’ cause.
The state agency said “several dogs” have fallen ill with the same symptoms in the northern Lower Peninsula with an illness similar to canine parvovirus, which affects a dog’s gastrointestinal tracts and is spread by dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces and environments.
The department said it has since heard from animal control agencies in northern Michigan regarding dogs with the same symptoms, the causes of which had not been determined.
