Deadly Animal Virus Attacking Michigan Pets

UPDATE 10/4: 2 Cases Of New Dog Virus Confirmed In Michigan

ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - A dangerous and potentially fatal animal virus spotted in San Diego and Ohio appears to be popping up in the Southeast Michigan area.

"They're coming in here and they're dying very quickly," said Dr. Lindsay Ruland with the Emergency Veterinary Hospital of Ann Arbor.

It's called Circovirus — and it's a vets worst nightmare.

"We've actually been seeing these symptoms and these cases for a while," Ruland said. "They started last year. I don't think they were as severe as they are this year.

"This year, it seems not matter what we do, these patients are dying," she said.

Ruland said flu-like symptoms can include lethargy, vomiting and bloody stools — and they progress rapidly.

She said several samples from deceased pets were sent to the state and are now under review for the suspected virus.

Ruland was treating half a dozen animals Wednesday evening.

"It seems like the basic antibiotics aren't doing anything," she said. "You have to do really kinda big guns antibiotics in these to get their fevers under control and see any recovery in them."

Ruland urged concerned pet owners to monitor their animals, and not to hesitate to take them in to urgent care clinics or to the vet if symptoms develop.