State health leaders say they are investigating a virus spreading to dogs primarily in northern Michigan and causing a quick onset of illness and even death, particularly among young dogs.
Samples from cases were sent by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to Michigan State University's veterinary lab in Lansing, which suspects it may be a strain of canine parvovirus.
"We are in the early stages of the investigation, but to our knowledge, it is taking place in northern Michigan," said Chelsea Lewis-Parisio, spokeswoman for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Additional testing is needed and the state has reached out to local veterinarians."
