The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is warning that some puppies recently bought through a Craigslist ad have been diagnosed with the potentially fatal canine parvovirus.
The RISPCA urges anyone who bought a puppy through the online classified ad site to talk to a veterinarian about getting treatment for their new dog.
After receiving a complaint Nov. 24 about an infected puppy purchased through Craigslist, the RISPCA tracked down the person who had placed the ad and seized two other puppies that then were diagnosed with the disease.
Since then, the RISPCA has identified several other puppies purchased through the ad. All of them were diagnosed with the disease.
Dogs can be vaccinated against parvovirus, whose symptoms include vomiting, bloody diarrhea and dehydration.
Anyone with a puppy that has been recently diagnosed with parvovirus is asked to call the RISPCA's law enforcement division at (401) 438-8150, extension 2, and speak to Special Agent Earl Newman.
