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Michigan Officials Probing Mystery Canine Parvovirus-like Disease After Over 30 Dogs Die

Authorities are investigating a mysterious canine parvovirus-like illness that has killed more than 30 dogs in Northern Michigan, with most dying within just three days. 

The animals died in Otsego County after exhibiting canine parvovirus symptoms, including throwing up and bloody stool, the county's animal shelter said on social media. However, when the dogs were initially tested by veterinarians, they returned negative for the virus.

Canine parvovirus is highly contagious and affects dogs' gastrointestinal tracts, with unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than 4 months most at risk, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The disease first emerged among dogs in Europe around 1976 but became less frequent thanks to the development of effective vaccines, according to the Baker Institute for Animal Health. 

It can spread by direct dog-to-dog contact or contact with contaminated feces or environments. 

The Otsego County Animal Shelter first posted about the cases in early August, saying they've received reports over the past month.

Melissa FitzGerald, the director of the county's animal shelter and control unit, told NBC News Tuesday that more than 30 dogs have exhibited symptoms and all are believed to have died from the illness.

Most of the dogs in Michigan that exhibited such symptoms died within three days, and most were under the age of 2, according to the animal shelter. 

The shelter said it does not appear that the illness is affecting certain breeds more than others, and similar cases have been colloquially reported around northern and central Michigan, including Vanderbilt, the city of Gaylor, west of Gaylord and south of Gaylord. 

"No one has an answer. The best 'guess' is that this is a strain of parvo," FitzGerald wrote on the shelter's Facebook page.

NBC News has reached out to Clare County officials for an updated number on dog deaths.

The disturbing reports have opened an investigation by several state and local agencies including the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, animal control agencies, the Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers, veterinarians and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is also aiding in the investigation with testing and looking for a cause. The lab said it will also explore "novel explanations such as new virus variants."

State Veterinarian Nora Wineland said in a release Monday that the investigation is still in its early stages "but some of the first samples submitted to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory were positive for canine parvovirus."

"However, there are more results pending and more to be learned," Wineland said.

She added that when the state first learned of these cases in Northern Michigan, "we immediately reached out to the veterinarians and animal shelters involved and began our response efforts. Protecting animal and public health is one of the department's key pillars, but it is a team effort."

"Dog owners need to ensure their pet is up to date on routine vaccinations as it's the first step in keeping your pet healthy," Wineland said.

State agriculture officials said canine parvovirus is commonly seen in Michigan, noting the disease is not contagious to humans or other animals. 

Now officials are urging pet owners to get their pets properly vaccinated.

The Otsego County Animal Shelter said Friday, "We have not seen any dogs that die that are PROPERLY vaccinated."

A vaccination clinic will be held at the Otsego County Fire Department on Wednesday from 5 p.M. To 8 p.M. And every Wednesday until Sept. 21. 

19 Things Your Dog Actually Wants From You

Chest rubs, not belly rubs

The idea that dogs love a good belly rub is based on outdated dominance theories, says Sara Taylor, CPDT-KA, director of animal behavior and training at the spcaLA. "A lot of dogs roll over to be submissive, which shows insecurity and fear, and it is not a good time to rub the belly of a dog," she explains. "As trainers, we only pet the belly when the dog is familiar to us, is initiating this contact for petting purposes, and is not scared or fearful." Most dogs prefer a good chest rub to a belly rub any day, McCue-McGrath adds. Next, find out why dogs sploot, according to veterinarians.

A nice, peaceful nap in a quiet spot

You may think your dog can sleep anywhere, anytime, but just because they can sleep through a six-year-old's birthday party doesn't mean they like it, Askeland says. And they definitely don't like being awakened by a herd of said six-year-olds. In fact, startling your dog out of a deep sleep can make them grouchy or even aggressive. Move the doggie bed—one of the 15 necessities your dog needs—to a safe, quiet spot.

To check their "pee-mail"

It may not be your jam, but sniffing every dirty, smelly thing around is one of your pup's favorite activities, McCue-McGrath says. "When you take a walk, let them check their 'pee-mail,' catch up on all the changes in the neighborhood, or see what wild critter skittered by," she says. "Dogs see the world through their noses and love nothing more than when we give them time to sniff instead of rushing on walks." Here are 30 funny dog photos you need to see.

Teaching Your Dog To Ask To Go Out

Communication is vital in any relationship, so it would be really helpful if our pets could talk. If they could tell you what they wanted, it would take the guesswork out of establishing routines, right? 

Well, good news! Teaching your dog to ask to go out is possible through training. 

Before diving into training your dog, know that they may already be telling you that they need to go out. Keep an eye out for the following signs: 

Sniffing and circling the area

Whining 

Pacing or fidgeting

Developing a routine for your dog's potty breaks will help alleviate the uncertainty. 

If your dog is still soiling inside, proper housetraining steps should be taken first. Creating a pattern for feeding and going outside will help them get into a routine. This prevents them from relieving themselves in your house. Reward them for going outside with affirmations and treats immediately when they're finished to condition the act. 

Similar tactics are used to train them to tell you they need to go out. 

Training your pets comes down to classical conditioning. If Ivan Pavlov could teach a dog to salivate on command, surely you can use the same techniques to teach them to ask to go out. 

Classical conditioning is fairly simple. The original experiment involved ringing a bell when the dogs were fed. After enough time repeating this act, simply ringing the bell caused the dogs to salivate. They were ready to eat. This type of basic learning is called "reflexive." 

Housetraining your dog involves a lot of conditioning. For example, you may already have a routine with your dog to go potty a half-hour after each meal. Your dog may even be conditioned to need to potty when your alarm goes off in the morning. 

Training your dog to ask to go out involves adding an extra stimulus into their housetraining routine. The most common technique trains your dog to ring a bell when they need to go out.

You may prefer teaching your dog to ring a bell when housetraining, rather than to bark or stand quietly at the door. This technique trains your dog to pair ringing a bell with their need to relieve themselves. It's not as simple as Pavlov's initial experiment. 

Step 1. You need to train your dog to ring the bell: 

Hold the bell close to their nose. When they touch the bell, reward them. The reward depends on your dog, but a treat usually works fine. 

Repeat until your dog doesn't hesitate to touch their nose to the bell. 

Start adding a cue or command word like "touch" to their act of touching the bell.

Hold the bell far enough away from them so that they must take a few steps to touch their nose to it. This adds a physical aspect to the task.

Step 2. This step trains them to ring the bell on the door on command:

Choose the door in your house that you will typically take your dog out of and hang the bell on the door. 

Continue the training from step 1 with the bell on the door, using the command word. 

Don't forget about rewards and affirmations when your dog touches the bell! 

Repeat this step until your dog touches the bell on cue. 

There are products you can buy that allow your dog to simply touch a button with their paw to ring a bell. Whatever you think is best for you and your pet will work fine.

Step 3. At this point, your dog will be trained to touch the bell on cue. This step teaches your dog to touch the bell at a specific time:

Approach the door and cue your dog to touch the bell with your command word. 

When they do, react with excitement, open the door, and take them outside. 

With enough repetition, your dog will learn that you will open the door and take them out whenever they ring the bell. 

Sometimes, your dog may ring the bell just to go outside and play. You'll have to reinforce to them that the bell is for potty time. When they ring the bell, put on their leash and take them to the part of the yard where they typically relieve themselves for a few minutes. If they go potty, affirm and reward. If they do not, go back inside. 

With enough repetition, your dog will learn that ringing the bell means going out to potty. This requires a lot of repetition, patience, and participation from everyone in your household. 

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