Posted on 04/21/2015 1:10:24 PM PDT by EBH
A canine flu outbreak has sickened many dogs in the Midwest, and veterinarians are cautioning pet owners to keep their dogs from going nose-to-nose with other four-legged friends.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Veterinary Medicine says the virus has sickened at least 1,000 dogs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana, and some veterinarians worry it could easily spread to other areas of the country.
Recent tests from the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have identified the strain as H3N2. Clinical assistant professor Keith Poulsen says it's not yet known how effective current vaccines are against this strain, which is believed to have come from Asia.
He said an older strain, H3N8, has also been detected in the region.
Both viruses can cause persistent cough, runny nose and fever in dogs. Experts say a small percentage will develop more severe symptoms. The H3N2 infection has been associated with some deaths.
Here's what Poulsen recommends for pet owners: If your dog is sick, call a veterinarian to schedule a test outside the veterinary clinic and should not bring dogs into areas where they could interact with other dogs.
"It's really no different if you're talking about dogs or toddlers, if you think they're sick, don't bring them to day care," Poulsen said.
Veterinarians say neither canine strain is related to bird flu or is contagious to humans, but the H3N2 strain could sicken cats.
(Excerpt) Read more at cleveland.com ...
Maybe you just need to keep pets indoors and away from pets you don’t know. Stay out of dog parks, keep your cat inside, etc.
That is indeed one of the preventative measures to allow this flu to burn itself out.
And the kitties too!
I’ve always had cats instead of dogs, but the best advice I was ever given was to keep the critters indoors. It’s been said that our animals live longer if they are kept indoors or confined to our own property because they are less likely to contract communicable diseases or get into fights with other animals, or be killed by some idiot with a grudge.
kitty and doggie ping. Meow and woof!
My dogs are always in the fenced yard.
Thank you for the kitty ping, SA&.
Our current crop of four cats never go outside.
They will just have to be content to sniff fresh air and
outdoor smells through screened windows and doors.
You’re very welcome.
That is what we are doing with our two dogs..we don’t let them interact with other dogs, better to be safe than sorry and we don’t even live in the affected area
My brother is a veterinarian now retired. He always said outdoor cats live short violent lives. Neutering helps but they’d still catch diseases and can be killed by other animals
Isn’t it uncommon here in the USA? How did it get started? Hopefully the virus will die out this season and not spread anymore.
“Maybe you just need to keep pets indoors and away from pets you don’t know. Stay out of dog parks, keep your cat inside, etc.”
My dogs are not happy being around other dogs so no issues here. There have been no reports of canine flu in southern CA but our rescue is on alert and send dogs to the vet if there any indications of illness.
I posted a thread a couple weeks ago about the Chicago outbreak.
Funny...Chicago...
Muslims did it.
Thanks, I went back and read/watched it.
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