Parvovirus outbreak at housing complex left Londoner's dog 'knocking at death's door'

A local animal welfare group is sounding the alarm about a canine parvovirus outbreak it says has left at least two dogs dead at a local community housing complex.

The outbreak is at 345 and 349 Wharncliffe Rd. N., where there is a "high concentration of unvaccinated dogs living in close quarters," London-based PAWS Canada said. It was first discovered roughly two weeks ago.

Given parvovirus' high mortality rate, the London-based charity is calling for a mass immunization effort at the 290-unit property, which they estimate is home to 75 to 100 dogs.

PAWS says it's working with local veterinarians to coordinate an immunization response, but says vaccinating each dog would cost at least $250.

It is calling on city representatives and London and Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH) to support the emergency response with funding for vaccinations and a plan to immediately clean the buildings.

"Residents say many more dogs have been affected than what I have been able to verify from veterinarians," said Emily Birkner, PAWS' fundraising initiatives manager. 

Residents walking their dogs nearby could easily get it as well, she said. "It's just very high risk of spread to the community and within the building."

Canine parvovirus can be spread through direct contact with infected dogs, feces of infected dogs or contaminated surfaces. It can also survive in the environment for months.

"This can't fall on residents alone. It's a community issue, and it requires a community response," said Linda Armstrong, PAWS' board chair.

LMCH says it learned of parvovirus at the complex on June 12, after a dog was confirmed to have died from it. Tenants were notified, and common areas were cleaned.

Resident Ashley Rossignol says her own dog, an Alaskan shepherd named Nova, nearly met the same fate.

She continued to take Nova out after being assured that action had been taken, she said, but days later Nova began exhibiting worsening symptoms, becoming lethargic and unable to keep down fluids.

By Tuesday, Nova was defecating blood, leaving Rossignol worried she was going to die. 

"To witness your fur baby being in tremendous pain and basically knocking on death's door … it was traumatizing in more ways than one."