Taking Action: Veterinarian warns of rapid spread of dog flu

WHNT ^ | June 12, 2017, by | Sarah Macaluso

[BenLurkin]

“When you’re out-and-out socializing, going for a walk in the neighborhood, that sort of thing, it would be so easy to pick it up from another dog,” Russell said.

Although, Russell says it can be difficult to know if your dog has the flu.

“It’s so similar to just your common bordetella, kennel cough,” Russell said.

There is a difference in how long it lasts. Russell says it can be weeks and sometimes fatal.

The virus can last for weeks and potentially turn into pneumonia.

“Early on they may be running a fever, which is unusual for just a regular upper respiratory infection,” said Russell.

It can also include a runny nose. The virus is highly contagious, but also easily killed with disinfectant.

[Yaelle]

All those dog parks, sniffing butts... it’s like a gay bathhouse for dogs. ;)

[vetvetdoug]

Somebody is pushing a vaccine to increase the overall gross. To confirm the virus one has to ship a sample to Cornell University and most won't do it and diagnose it by symptoms. We had a vet here that pushed the vaccine, used a human flu test that gave questionable results and claimed the humane society shelter had an outbreak of the disease. Further testing of the shelter animals proved they were infected with canine distemper and kennel cough. Just call me skeptical but I've been through a couple of outbreaks (VEE and Parvo) with animals and the disease is nowhere near the level those two were.

[leaning conservative]

Great description! Dogs love them some butts. We are taking off on a 25 hour journey to visit my husband’s folks & our friends in MA. We are taking our dog & this has me worried. Will check w/ my father in-law’s vet.

You asked about my tagline, I just keep it. We are down in MS.

[OrangeHoof]

A dog with a wet nose! Call a doctor!!!

[Jan_Sobieski]

Ping

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Wisconsin had an outbreak of this in 2015 which closed a lot of dog parks for a while. No dogs died from it, thank goodness. People were vigilant about watching their dogs for symptoms and keeping them away from ‘stranger danger’ dogs.

[Hot Tabasco]

All those dog parks,

Yep, all those dumbass dog parks that were built with tens if not hundreds of thousands of local tax dollars........How stupid is that?

[Yaelle]

Have fun! I’m sure doggie will be fine!

[IronJack]

So we've had swine flu, bird flu, and now dog flu. Next year, stay tuned for ...

DOLPHIN FLU!!!!

[leaning conservative]

Thanks ; ) we are in waffle house drinking coffee & waiting for food. Starving!

[Daffynition]

[Yaelle]

I hope you are chowing down on chicken and waffles by now! Happy trails.

[garandgal]

We have a beautiful dog park; includes a pond for swimming, fresh water & a nice trail.

It was built after a 2 or 3 year PRIVATE fundraising effort. The City thereafter was given ownership & maintains it; members pay a yearly fee to offset the cost of maintenance & upgrades. I would be very surprised if they don’t realize a large profit. Several of the other local suburbs have the same arrangement. No taxpayers were harmed in the building of the dog park...unlike bike trails...lol.

I live in a town home so I happily pay the fee. The “swimming pond” is particularly great on a hot day...it’s like a dog party:)