Animal Health Officials Alert Dog Owners to Watch for Parvovirus

08:12AM / Tuesday, December 26, 2023Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON —?The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' (MDAR) Division of Animal Health is advising dog owners of a canine parvovirus (commonly called "parvo") outbreak in Franklin County.

At least one dog, recently purchased from Jason Whitmore at 35 Daniel Shay's Highway in Orange, Massachusetts, has been affected. The property is currently under quarantine. Anyone who may have purchased a puppy or dog from this source on or after December 1, 2023, should contact their veterinarian immediately if their animal exhibits any symptoms.

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily between dogs and can be fatal. Severe vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite are common symptoms of the virus and will usually develop after an incubation period of 3 to 7 days. Dogs that have been infected and recover can remain infectious for several months. Canine parvovirus does not affect humans or other domestic animals.

Vaccinations effectively prevent canine parvovirus, and MDAR is urging dog owners to check with their veterinarians to confirm their pets are protected. Puppies require a series of vaccinations, and adult dogs may need a yearly booster. State animal health officials advise not giving the animal any medications except as prescribed by a veterinarian. Any medicines provided at the time of purchase should not be administered to the animal and instead, should be securely stored.

Please contact MDAR's Division of Animal Health at (617) 626-1795 with any concerns.

Additional information regarding canine parvovirus is provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association?here.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Parks OKs Annual Events, Hears Wahconah Park Idea

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:11PM / Sunday, February 22, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Parks Commission signed off on some annual city events on Tuesday.

Commissioners approved the 80th annual Eggstravaganza Egg Scramble, the Westside Legends' 6th annual Easter egg hunt, and another lineup of Eagles Band concerts in the park. The Eagles Community Band is in its 90th year.

Pittsfield's 80th egg hunt will be held at The Common on Saturday, April 4 (rain date April 11) from 10 to noon. The free event is open to children ages 2-11 and will feature a balloon artist, a face painter, the Easter bunny, and, of course, plastic eggs filled with small prizes.

The Westside Easter Egg Hunt, organized by the Westside Legends, is on the same day, April 4, from 1 to 3 p.m at Durant Park. It was scheduled to not conflict with the city's event, and will include tabling from community organizations, and some raffles.

City officials are also planning an opportunity to appreciate the Wahconah Park grandstand's century of history in Pittsfield. Demolition is currently out to bid, and prices are expected the first week of March.

"We want to have some conversation around opening up the grandstand one last time for the community to come in and look around and share memories," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath reported.

"I think it would we'd be remiss if we just brought in the wrecking ball and people were like, 'Wait a minute, I didn't have a chance to have one last look out from my favorite spot in the grandstand,' So we're going to figure out how to do that, how to get that done safely, and just how to celebrate this with some folks."

He has been in touch with Larry Moore of Berkshire Baseball to share facts about the park, "and just remind people how much of a storied past Wahconah Park has had, and just keep hope alive for the next iteration of Wahconah Park, whatever that looks like."

View Full Story