Epidemiology Comparison of Parvovirus Cases at Two Pennsylvania Animal Shelters: Leann Wolf, Department of Biological Sciences, York College of PA Dr. Mathur, Mentor Parvovirus is a canine pathogen that is spread through canine feces and can survive in varying conditions (Pritie 2004). Symptoms of canine parvovirus include bloody stool, diarrhea, lethargy, and dehydration. Dogs that are infected with canine parvovirus who are unvaccinated and untreated have a 91% mortality rate (Pritie 2004). There is a combination vaccine available to help prevent canine parvovirus; however due to economic unavailability and the ignorance many people have towards the proper vaccinations of dogs many dogs go unvaccinated. The DHLPP combination vaccine protects against five separate diseases in canines including: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus ( Canine parvovirus (CPV) will vary with how hard or how fast it will effect a dog but unvaccinated dogs with low immunity will be more susceptible and have more difficulty fighting the virus (Pritie 2004). Due to the overcrowding and close contact in shelters it is easier for fecal matter to be transmitted from dog to dog and puts shelters at a higher risk of contamination of canine parvovirus (Miller and Hurley 2009). There has been a trend seen in canine parvovirus disease cases in relation to seasons of the year and breeds; however no known studies have looked at the database methods and recording techniques in animal shelters. Because there is no known standard database or method of recording canine parvovirus cases in animal shelters and in veterinary facilities it makes prevalence and statistics difficult to accurately be collected. With little studies done that present prevalence and statistics regarding different variables of canine parvovirus many people do not take CPV as seriously as they should. INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES To compare the prevalence of canine parvovirus at two Pennsylvanian animal shelters. To analyze the current database methods, seasonal infection and breed prevalence related to parvovirus at the two Pennsylvanian animal shelters. METHODS RESULTSCONCLUSION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LITERATURE CITED FUTURE WORK I would like to thank the Humane Society of Berks County and the Humane League of Lancaster for their continual help and use of shelter resources. Also Carolyn Mathur for being a helpful mentor.. City Positive Parvo a Income b Population c Reading9126,69881,183 Lancaster 5029,77054,779 a # of cases over four year period b Median household income from US Census Bureau 1999 c from the US Census Bureau released in 2006 Table 1. A comparison of parvovirus incidence, income, and population in two cities where the shelters were located from Table 2. Comparison between pit bull dog parvovirus cases and non-pit breeds in total yearly population from Shelter- Humane Society of Berks County YearPit Bull BreedNon-Pit Bull Breed /1,106 (0.009%)8/1,106 (0.007%) /1, 419 (0.016%)11/1,419 (0.007%) /2, 035 (0.008%)6/2,305 (0.002%) 20069/2,158 (0.004%)8/2,158 (0.003%) Shelter-Humane League of Lancaster YearPit Bull BreedNon-Pit Bull Breed 20094/3,076 (0.0013%)5/3,076 (0.0016%) /3,337 (0.004%)6/3,337 (0.0017%) 20075/3,102 (0.0016%) 20065/3,298 (0.0015%) Database proposal- Work on developing and getting the resources to begin a database, or even just a standard technique, that shelters and veterinary facilities can use to record parvovirus. Education-Continue developing tools and conducting research to show people the importance of vaccines, as well as developing educational programs to help raise money for clinics that provide parvovirus vaccines. Other senior thesis idea for future students-To examine the different variants of emerging strains of parvovirus to compare to different areas to aid in prevention Used SAGE nonprofit software at each shelter 2. Found yearly total number of dogs from each year, , by using the yearly census on SAGE 3. A specific time interval (i.e. Jan 1, 2006-Dec ) was able to be put into the Sage software program and all files of incoming dogs from that time frame were listed 4. After finding the section of dogs (all animals were grouped together) looked at general info on spreadsheet- key words such as E & D (euthanized and disposed), DOA (dead on arrival), sick, sick incoming, or died were noted by specific number each animal is assigned when enters the shelter 5. After each file noted were searched individually by putting that number in the search bar-multiple places in notes that could have specified an infected dog with parvovirus or symptoms matching 7. If case noted bloody diarrhea, vomiting, or lethargy it was noted as possible parvovirus 6. If notes stated a parvovirus test was conducted and positive, or just noted positive for parvovirus, that was recorded 8. The dogs identification number, breed, or left sex, age, date deceased shelter, and any other notes available were recorded 9. Chi-sq and fishers exact test contingency analyses used for comparing variables  There was a significant difference in the number of parvovirus cases at the two comparing shelters  With the different variables of location, number of incoming dogs, and accessibility between the two shelters this information is able to show a comparison that could help to demonstrate the need of more generalized databases for disease control in animal shelters.  When looking at income and population, the shelter that had the most cases of parvovirus over the four year period had a higher population and lower median household income compared to the other shelter  Can potentially be explained by less available money for people to afford annual vaccines as well as a larger population size to try to educate and allow access for everyone to have the opportunity to get vaccines for their dogs.  At both shelters the highest average prevalence was found to be in the summer, which is agreement with associated literature. This also shows there needs to be more educational tools focused on protecting their pets in the summer months especially.  Pit Bull Dogs were the most prevalent breed of dog infected with parvovirus at both shelters, which is one of the breeds the associated literature mentioned as most susceptible breeds to be infected with parvovirus, but is also the most common breed of dog to be in any shelter.  The sample size was potentially smaller than it could have been had there been a more definitive way to search for parvovirus cases, as well as better documentation of symptoms and tests, a better system of recording at shelters and veterinary clinics Example of SAGE software program used at both shelters for collecting parvovirus cases – photo taken from Humane Society of Berks County SAGE software Miller, L and Hurley, K Infectious Disease Management in Animal Shelters. Wiley- Blackwell, Singapore. Pritie, J Canine parvoviral enteritis: a review of diagnosis, management, and prevention. Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 14: Available from: Academic Search Premier. Animal Care and Control." SFGov. City and County of San Francisco, Web. 5 March