BENTON, KY - After two dogs succumbed to parvovirus, Marshall County Animal Shelter employees are limiting what animals they accept and adopt out.
 
Shelter Director Autumn Hollis told the Paducah Sun the infected dogs were discovered Monday. She said the original carrier showed no symptoms before staff went home for the weekend.

Since then, employees have tried to keep animals separated and frequently cleaned kennel areas to kill the virus.
 
Experts say vaccinations are the best way to deal with parvo. It usually affects younger unvaccinated dogs.
 
The virus attacks the lining of the small intestine, creating ulcers that let bacteria into the animal’s bloodstream. Dogs with parvo must be treated for both the infection and dehydration.

Hollis said shelter dogs will continue to be supervised for one to two weeks to make sure the infection did not spread.
 
The planned adoption drive at Country Chevrolet in Benton will proceed Saturday with some of the shelter’s 70 adoptable cats and kittens, in addition to some dogs that did not come into contact with animals in the kennels.