BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Dog owners beware. It’s the season for the potentially deadly parvovirus.

ABC23's east Bakersfield reporter Christine Dinh discovered the impact it's having on the county animal shelter.

The county animal shelter said it has received an influx of animals sick with parvo or showing parvo symptoms.

Typically parvo becomes rampant in dogs when the weather warms up, shelter officials said.

The recent animal control sweeps of stray animals, which some of the animals had been found to have parvo, is another reason why the shelter has seen an increase in the virus.

Shelter officials said that 20 dogs have been found to be infected or are in isolation at the shelter.

Parvo is a virus that affects only dogs.

Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and bloody stools.

It is highly contagious and can be deadly if untreated.

That's why officials stress the importance of vaccinating your dog.

Cynthia Martinez an animal control veterinarian, said, “We want to see animals vaccinated so we don't see animals become an epidemic proportion that have to come here or to the veterinarian to be euthanized."

Not only is it important to vaccinate your dog. Also keep it in your yard or home so as to decrease exposure.