Dog Virus Warning Alert After Sick Goldie Puppies Found In Boston Hospitalized 6 Weeks: MSPCA

SALEM, MA — Dog owners are being urged to make sure their pets are vaccinated against parvovirus after Golden Retriever puppies were hospitalized in Boston with the potentially life-threatening disease.

Parvovirus is a highly contagious dog disease that can spread through infected feces and live in an environment for an extended period of time after the infected dog leaves the area. It can be especially dangerous for puppies, which can die within 48 hours of showing symptoms without treatment.

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The MSPCA-Angell issued the warning after it said three Golden Retriever puppies were found in Boston late last month and tested positive for the virus. Two of the six-month-old puppies required hospitalization and extended veterinary care.

"Golden Retrievers are a highly sought-after breed, so it's abnormal that a bunch were found sick and alone outside like this," said Mike Keiley, vice president of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division. "No one has stepped forward to claim the dogs, so considering all of the circumstances, we believe they were abandoned."

MSPCA Law Enforcement and Boston Animal Control are looking into the puppies' history.

The two Golden Retriever puppies were hospitalized at MSPCA-Angell West in Waltham for six days, after which they were taken into foster care, where they could complete their recovery.

"It's a really contagious virus that can live for a long time outside in the environment, so it’s incredibly dangerous, and dogs can be infected without knowing it," Keiley said.

Infected dogs also shed a huge amount of the virus, which means that a dog may be unknowingly exposed after visiting an area that an infected dog was in.

“Fortunately, vaccines are hugely effective and broadly available, so we hope that this serves as a reminder to people," Keiley said. "Please vaccinate your dogs."

The MSPCA-Angell offers parvovirus vaccines through all Angell Animal Medical Center hospitals, as well as through its four community clinics for those who qualify financially.

More information on the Boston vaccine clinics may be found here.

Two of the three puppies found by Boston Animal Control will remain in its care and be adopted out through its shelter.

The third, named Big Red, will be ready for adoption after he clears parvovirus and finishes treatment for gastrointestinal parasites he also contracted before he was hospitalized.

The MSPCA-Angell expects that will be sometime in the next 10 days.

Interested adopters are asked to submit an inquiry here.

"We know that there will be a lot of interest in adopting Big Red," said Keiley. "Although we can only pick one adopter, we're so excited that he’ll soon have the very best home and a bright future after a challenging start."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)