Six dogs are confirmed to be sick with the Parvo Virus at the Kern County Animal Shelter.
Health officials say as soon as a new stray dog arrives at the shelter, their veterinarians vaccinate against Kennel Cough and Parvo.
They also isolate dogs with symptoms.
But sometimes an infected animal is adopted before it is diagnosed with the potentially deadly virus.
When Javier Gonzalez adopted a 4-month-old German Shepard last Friday, he and his wife looked forward to raising the newest member of their family.
"The next day in the morning it started presenting the problems," said Javier Gonzalez.
The puppy had Parvo, it was throwing up and had diarrhea.
Gonzalez bought Pedalite to help fight the dehydration but the puppy couldn't keep it down.
"It was upsetting mainly because of the dog. I mean the dog should have to suffer and go through all that I think that if they would have just caught it earlier maybe we would have done something for the dog," said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez adopted it from the animal shelter, and took it to the vet to have it checked out.
The puppy did not show signs of Parvo then, but after it was diagnosed, Gonzalez was told of the outbreak.
"Recently we've had some concern about a couple of animals that we know of that may have contracted Parvo either before they were received by animal control or during their stay at the shelter," said Matt Constantine, Director of the Public Health Department.
Veterinarian Roger Paulson says Parvo is prevelant during the spring and fall.
In close quarters like animal shelters, the virus can spread quickly.
"The only thing that could happen is it could be incubating the disease and the symptoms aren't there if they take it home, I would just suggest they take it to your veterinarian right away," said Veterinarian Roger Paulson with Stine Animal Hospital.
When the health department learned of Gonzalez situation, they paid for some of his bill.
The puppy died Wednesday night.
