Sulphur Shelter Shut Down To Decontaminate Against Parvovirus

SULPHUR, Okla. (AP) -- Sulphur police shut down a local animal shelter for the second time in three weeks so it can be decontaminated against the deadly parvovirus.<br/><br/>The shelter closed Monday after

Wednesday, October 11th 2006, 6:27 am

By: News On 6

SULPHUR, Okla. (AP) -- Sulphur police shut down a local animal shelter for the second time in three weeks so it can be decontaminated against the deadly parvovirus.

The shelter closed Monday after a dog tested positive for the disease. Nine dogs were euthanized. The shelter euthanized 12 dogs three weeks ago when parvovirus first was detected.

An animal shelter in nearby Davis reopened Monday after shutting down because of the disease last week.

Sulphur Police Chief David Pearo says it typically takes between five and seven days after being exposed to the virus for dogs to start showing symptoms. Pearo says a stray dog impounded in Sulphur last week began showing symptoms of parvovirus over the weekend.

The virus is passed from dog to dog through fecal matter or vomit and can cause an animal to die of dehydration.

Pearo says veterinarians are hoping the first freeze will wipe the virus from the environment.