Dozens of dogs killed by mysterious parvo-like illness in Michigan

State and federal agencies are investigating an unknown illness that's sickened dogs in northern Michigan and killed at least 30 canines in one county after they exhibited signs of a parvo-like illness.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) said it's working with local animal control shelters, veterinarians, the Michigan State University's veterinary laboratory, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other partners on testing to determine the illness' cause.

The state agency said "several dogs" have fallen ill with the same symptoms in the state's northern Lower Peninsula with an illness similar to canine parvovirus, which affects a dog's gastrointestinal tracts and is spread by dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces and environments.

One veterinarian told MDARD officials about treating a dog that was vomiting and had diarrhea, which are common symptoms of canine parvovirus. That canine, however, tested negative for the parvovirus at a veterinary clinic, the agency said.

The department said it has since heard from animal control agencies in northern Michigan regarding dogs with the same symptoms, the causes of which had not been determined.

State Veterinarian Nora Wineland said in a statement that "investigating the details of unusual or reportable animal disease detections" is a key part of MDARD's mission.

In Otsego County, about 30 privately-owned and mostly unvaccinated dogs have died, said Melissa FitzGerald, the director of the county's animal control department. She said it does not appear that the dogs had contact with each other.

"It's scary," FitzGerald told the Detroit Free Press. "There are many things that it could be."

Adrianna Potrafkey, who lives...