Local clinic says it is seeing uptick in dog parvovirus cases, issues warning to pet owners - Hamilton In-depth, Investigative News from Journal-News

XCareVet of Middletown has issued a warning to dog owners following a notable increase in canine parvovirus cases, as reported by Medical Director Dr. Jessica Delgado. Normally, the clinic sees one or two cases per year; however, in October, they recorded four instances within a single day. This uptick is alarming, especially since it has primarily affected older dogs and even some vaccinated ones, challenging historical trends where vaccinated dogs did not exhibit clinical symptoms. Parvovirus is highly infectious and resilient in the environment, remaining viable for months. The spike in cases appears localized to the Middletown and Franklin areas, as neighboring clinics have not reported similar increases. Symptoms to watch for include severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. To mitigate the spread, the clinic advises pet owners to be particularly cautious in communal spaces such as dog parks and grooming salons until further information becomes available.