Posted on 09/24/2005 5:25:35 PM PDT by FreeManWhoCan
A new, highly contagious and sometimes deadly canine flu is spreading in kennels and at dog tracks around the country, veterinarians said yesterday.
The virus, which scientists say mutated from an influenza strain that affects horses, has killed racing greyhounds in seven states and has been found in shelters and pet shops in many places, including the New York suburbs, though the extent of its spread is unknown.
Dr. Cynda Crawford, an immunologist at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine who is studying the virus, said that it spread most easily where dogs were housed together but that it could also be passed on the street, in dog runs or even by a human transferring it from one dog to another. Kennel workers have carried the virus home with them, she said..............
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I keep my dogs pretty well isolated from other dogs.
Potomac Dog Fever?
Damn, makes me think Avian flu virus!
Me,too. Does anyone have any idea on virus transmission to people from dogs or cats? Is it like bird or pig flu? Just curious.
I think the big worry with birdie flu is if it jumps to a mammal. It did in tigers I think and they are worried it will mutate to infect a mammal.
Our cat died of feline aids, my husband said he didn't even know the cat was gay. But it is not the same virus.
My Ex-Wife hasn't shown any symptoms yet...
A New Deadly, Contagious Dog Flu Virus Is Detected in 7 States
Was just an FYI.
Thanks, I did follow the link you provided and it was also very informative. I took other poster's precautions to be very common sense, which is what we all need today more than ever.
The FR search doesn't hit on words of 3 letters or less, so "dog" and "flu" find nothing.
I don't know if you are interested, but I remembered this thread and thought I'd post this info.
I was at my vet today and she believes the new canine flu to be a strain of the avian flu. She suggests keeping dogs away from dog parks, kennels, etc. as much as possible until they get a handle on this thing. Bear in mind, I have a puppy, so that may be an issue with this thing, too. I imagine healthy mature dogs can fight it off better, along the lines of humans.
Appreciate the post and update. I'm keeping an eye open with my corgi's...we walk a lot and they are such social pups they want to "chat" with every dog they see...
Glad to see this thread is still active. I had sort of poo-poo'ed this news, but I have great respect for my vet. She shows border terriers and so has a great personal stake in all this as well, with her dogs out with others so often.
She does recommend the kennel cough vaccine if you don't normally use it (and she is a titer vet, not vaccine happy) since it is a related flu-type illness.
Hasn't the avian flu already done that?
I thought I read that the Avian Flu has killed 60 people so far.
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