by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
RILEY COUNTY - Riley County has announced on Tuesday, September 19th, the temporary closure of the Fairmont Park Dog Park due to possible contamination from canine parvovirus.
Both large and small dog enclosures are being closed from September 19 through Monday, September 25th.
Riley County Park staff were notified a dog that has visited the park was recently diagnosed with canine parvovirus.
The park was also closed from August 16-21st after a pet owner had notified Riley County Park Staff of a parvo diagnosis at that time.
“We received word today that a dog with canine parvo visited the dog park. It’s a tough disease for dogs and we hope it makes a full recovery. We closed the park to prevent any potential spread of the virus,” said Public Works Director John Ellermann.
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral infection that affects dogs, particularly puppies and other unvaccinated dogs. The virus is known to spread through direct contact with an infected dog, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
Pet owners are strongly encouraged to keep their dogs away from the Fairmont Park Dog Park during the closure and to follow their veterinarian's guidance on vaccinations and preventive measures.
Any pet owners who have visited Fairmont Park Dog Park in the past week should monitor their dog for signs and symptoms of canine parvovirus and contact a veterinarian immediately if the dog becomes ill. Signs and symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea.
It is important to note that canine parvovirus does not spread to humans. Humans cannot get the virus from a dog or cat, nor can humans spread parvovirus B19, the strain capable of infecting humans, to pets. Find more information about parvovirus B19 from the CDC.