Harvard Dangerfield — Boston’s most popular dog. (Beth Treffeisen)
By Alison Kuznitz
State House News Service
New dog owners should be on the lookout for potential symptoms of canine parvovirus, a highly contagious disease that can be fatal, amid an outbreak in Franklin County, state animal health officials said Friday.
At least one dog that was recently bought in Orange has “been affected” by the disease, which is also called “parvo,” state officials said.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Division of Animal Health said the property at issue, located at 35 Daniel Shay’s Highway in Orange, is under quarantine. People who bought a puppy or dog there on or after December 1 should contact their veterinarian if their pet shows symptoms.
The state agency is also urging dog owners to make sure their pets are vaccinated against canine parvovirus.
“‘Severe vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite are common symptoms of the virus and will usually develop after an incubation period of 3 to 7 days,” state officials said. “Dogs that have been infected and recover can remain infectious for several months. Canine parvovirus does not affect humans or other domestic animals.”
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Harvard Dangerfield — Boston’s most popular dog. (Beth Treffeisen) 
