An outbreak of illness will have dogs at Fort Riley "roughing it" for a while.

The post's garrison commander has closed Rex's Bark Park in an effort to curb an outbreak of Parvovirus.

Capt. Paul Hester, chief of veterinary services at Fort Riley, says the clinic has seen five cases of parvo already this summer and expects the number to grow. He says cases usually peak during the summer due to the stress of temperature changes.

Hester says dog owners can minimize the risk their pet will contract the disease by having their dog vaccinated or boostered; keeping the dog away from other dogs and their droppings; and cleaning up after them.

Veterinary Services at Fort Riley has closed its dog adoption section until July 27 as an additional precaution. The cat adoption section and the veterinary treatment facility remain open.

For more information on Parvo and how to protect your dog, call Fort
Riley Veterinary Services at (785) 239-3886.