ALERT Chicago: Dog owners warned about surge in canine flu cases

[Housecarl]

For links see article source.....
Posted for fair use.....
http://www.wrex.com/story/28721968/2015/04/04/dog-owners-warned-about-surge-in-canine-flu-cases

Dog owners warned about surge in canine flu cases

Posted: Apr 04, 2015 2:22 PM PDT

Officials are cautioning dog owners that a recent surge in cases of canine flu could last for several weeks.

Donna Alexander of the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control said Friday veterinarians have identified more than 1,000 cases of canine infectious respiratory disease, or canine flu. Vets have reported five deaths.

Dog owners should avoid dog parks in Cook County and keep their pets away from other dogs for now. Dogs can be contagious without showing symptoms.

The condition can cause lingering coughs, lethargic behavior, poor appetite and fever. It's not contagious to humans and won't spread to cats either. But a person who's been in contact with a dog carrying the virus can inadvertently spread it to another dog.

Alexander recommends hand-washing after petting a dog to prevent the spread.

 

[Housecarl]

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http://www.qconline.com/news/local/...cle_c83a4341-8963-5116-aed6-5377ad559032.html

Outbreak of canine flu hasn't hit Q-C

Posted: Saturday, April 4, 2015 7:42 pm
By Laura Anderson Shaw, landerson@qconline.com

The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association is cautioning dog owners about an outbreak of canine influenza, but an administrator of the Animal Emergency Center of the Quad Cities said the flu hasn't made it to the Quad-Cities yet.

According to a news release from the Chicago association, there has been a surge in the number of severe cases throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

Donna Alexander, of the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control, said veterinarians have identified more than 1,000 cases of canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD), or canine flu, including five deaths, The Associated Press reported.

Kathie Oberman, hospital administrator at the Animal Emergency Center of the Quad Cities in Bettendorf, said the center has not seen a huge influx of the flu, but that's "not to say it isn't eventually going to work its way here."

People are traveling with their dogs for vacations, and rescue organizations are transporting dogs across the country without realizing some may be carrying it, she said. "There is the potential for it to become an outbreak," she said, adding it's important all pet owners keep pets up to date on vaccinations and make sure they get annual health exams.

According to the CVMA's release, because the virus is extremely contagious, dog owners are being encouraged to avoid dog parks and keep their pets away from other dogs for now, as dogs can be contagious without showing symptoms.

The release says pet owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if their dogs display these symptoms: lethargic; persistent, hacking cough; poor appetite; nasal discharge; difficulty breathing; a fever.

The AP reported the illness is not contagious to humans and will not spread to cats. But people who have been in contact with a dog carrying the virus can inadvertently spread it to another dog.

The CVMA's release advises pet owners to wash their hands after touching animals or handling food bowls, water bowls, toys, crates and cages and to thoroughly clean items such as these. The virus appears to be killed by disinfectants in common use in veterinary clinics, boarding facilities and animal shelters.

 

[Buick Electra]

Holee Crap! Thanks you both so much for posting this! Contacting all the dog owners I know.

 

[Housecarl]

For links see article source.....
Posted for fair use.....
http://newsmaine.net/22942-canine-f...-three-its-animal-boarding-facilities-chicago

Canine Flu Scare: PetSmart closes three of its Animal Boarding Facilities in Chicago

by Daria Morozova, Apr 04, 2015

In order to prevent pets from the spread of canine flu, PetSmart has closed three of its animal boarding facilities in Chicago area.

The closed facilities are in Evanston, the South Loop, and Lincoln Park. Officials at Evanston and South Loop locations are not accepting additional pets till the time they do not receive further information on the issue. All the pets have been removed from the Lincoln Park site.

"We use a chemical called Trifectant in there, and really just clean from top to bottom, and follow very rigorous disinfection processes, and making sure that there's no cross-contamination", affirmed PetSmart spokesman Andy Izquierdo.

The company is also reminding pet owners to be well aware of the symptoms of dog flu. Its common symptoms include cough, a runny nose and fever. There are many reports of canine influenza spreading in the area.

Izquierdo has suggested pet owners to be alert of these symptoms and try to avoid the places dogs can congregate. On Friday, officials warned that canine flu outbreak can last for several weeks.

The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control said that at least five dogs have died due to the virus and more than 1,000 others are sick in the Chicago area.

 

[Housecarl]

For links see article source.....
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http://wgnradio.com/2015/04/04/dr-natalie-marks-discusses-the-surprising-canine-flu-outbreak/

Dr. Natalie Marks discusses the surprising canine flu outbreak

Posted 1:02 PM, April 4, 2015, by Craig Collins

Dr. Natalie Marks joins Patti to discuss possible causes for the recent canine flu outbreak in Chicago.

Audio (At site, 10:42)

For more information, please check out the links below:

Dr. Marks on WGN TV

Steve Dale’s Blog

Dr. Tony Kremer discussing the outbreak

Filed in: Patti Vasquez

 

[Wise Owl]

This is a no brainer. Stay away from dog parks and any place else where there may be sick dogs including your vet's office. They may disinfect the exam rooms but if you are sitting in the waiting room with your dog and another dog comes in sneezing or coughing, your dog is exposed.
Keep them close at home and away from areas where other dogs are.

You are better off doing this and making sure they eat healthy and kept out of drafty areas and if wet from outside, dry them thoroughly.
Fresh, clean water, clean bedding, etc.

 

[Housecarl]

For links see article source.....
Posted for fair use.....
http://wtop.com/sports/2015/04/canine-flu-outbreak-sickens-hundreds-of-dogs-in-midwest/slide/1/

Canine flu outbreak sickens hundreds of dogs in Midwest

By DANA FERGUSON
April 15, 2015 6:00 pm

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — 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. 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.

Poulsen said pet owners with sick dogs should 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.

Renee Brantner Shanesy, who owns the Ruffin’ It Resort in Madison, said the kennel required immunizations against H3N8 for all dogs boarded there late last week. Shanesy said she’s now recommending, not requiring, the vaccination after veterinarians said it won’t protect against H3N2.

“The philosophy we’re taking is, just like the human flu, everyone has to take the precaution for himself,” she said.

Shanesy said she hasn’t seen panic among dog owners, but the kennel is increasing its sanitizing practices. She said she had her two dogs vaccinated and she has cut out trips to the dog park to reduce the risk of exposure.

“Like any other pet owner right now, I’m not 100 percent comfortable,” Shanesy said. “Anything I can do to give them a better chance of immunity, I’m in.”

Sarah Duchemin, who works at The Dog Den in Madison, said the kennel has been monitoring its dogs for symptoms, and that if a dog shows up with a runny nose or is sneezing, the animal would be isolated and sent home. She said the kennel hasn’t had a dog show any flu symptoms yet, but it cleans its floors and cages every day to prevent the spread of disease.

Luanne Moede, owner of the First Class Pet Lodge in Wausau, told the Wausau Daily Herald that clients are being asked if dogs have traveled out of state. Moede also said she’s informing pet owners about the disease.

In Illinois, vets say the cases are slowing but are still coming in. Chicago resident Jennifer Roche’s mixed-breed dog, Roxy-Rocket, is recovering after coming down with canine flu while boarded at Tucker Pup’s Dog Activity Center last week while the family was away during spring break. Roche knew she was taking a risk by boarding the family pet during the outbreak, but she feels the facility handled it well when the dog began to cough.

“They got her to the vet right away and she was on antibiotics right away,” Roche said. “It feels a lot like when my kids get the flu. … I’m going to be watching her very closely when the antibiotics run out.”

___

AP writer Carla K. Johnson in Chicago contributed to this report.

___

Follow Dana Ferguson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bydanaferguson

 

[Housecarl]

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http://apnews.myway.com/article/20150422/us--pets-dog_flu_prevention-things_to_know-0f2077ea42.html

Worried sick over canine flu? Tips to help protect your pup

Apr 22, 10:51 AM (ET)
By SUE MANNING

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An outbreak of canine flu has sickened more than 1,000 dogs in the Midwest, killing a handful and stirring concern among animal lovers nationwide that the highly contagious virus will sideline their pets.

Experts blame the epidemic on a strain called H3N2 that is seen in Asia and leaves pets feeling lousy for about two weeks. Veterinarians believe the strain, which doesn't yet have a vaccine, will likely spread to other parts of the country, so they offer ways to keep pets healthy or help those that are already ill.

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Steve Gilberg, a digital marketer in Chicago, says his 6-year-old pug-Chihuahua mix, Joey, had most of the symptoms: high fever, runny nose, watery eyes, sore throat and loss of appetite. But mostly, he coughed.

"He just started coughing really, really hard, kind of like a smoker's hacking cough, coming from the belly," Gilberg said.

Dr. Brian Collins urges owners to pay attention to changes in behavior, such as dwindling interest in eating, drinking and playing, labored or rapid breathing, or lethargy.

"If he's always happy to eat and now he isn't, that isn't a good sign. Are they clingy when they are usually close, removed when they are usually just a bit aloof?" said Collins, a companion animal veterinarian at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York.

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HELPING SICK PETS

Start by taking its temperature. You can't just feel your dog's forehead to see if it's running a fever, but digital thermometers can take readings under an armpit or in the most accurate area — the backside, Collins said.

Food and fluids are important, so keep trying to entice your buddy. With a pet that isn't eating well, offer fare that's a bit more tempting, but be careful it doesn't cause a stomachache. Try some baby food, canned meals or dry food softened with water.

Dogs probably have achy muscles, a sore throat and stuffy head, while feeling tired and run down, so don't discourage long bouts of snoozing as long as they are getting up to go outside and staying hydrated.

"If he's mostly resting and seems stable and is breathing comfortably, then the more sleep, the better," Collins said.

Gilberg said his sick pup would lie in bed all day, but it helped to hold him and then his energy returned gradually.

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AVOID GERMS

Infected dogs can be contagious for two weeks, so keep pets — sick or healthy — away from other pooches and places where they gather, such as doggie day cares, dog parks, groomers and pet stores.

Some pet businesses in Illinois closed for a few days to help stop the spread. When Gilberg took Joey to the vet, the receptionist asked them to wait out front to avoid getting other dogs sick.

The virus gets passed through the air when dogs sneeze or by people when germs jump on hands or clothing, where they can live for hours. But the canine flu doesn't sicken people.

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WHEN MEDICINE HELPS

There is no vaccine for the strain sweeping through Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana. Shots are available for a similar strain seen last year, and some vets believe it could help ward off germs.

But there's no need to vaccinate dogs that are already sick, said Dr. Drew Sullivan of the Medical District Veterinary Clinic at Illinois in Chicago.

Antibiotics likely would come in if a flu-infected dog contracts pneumonia.

But doctors warn against treating dogs with cough syrup or other over-the-counter medicine in case it counteracts with other medications.

"I don't think it's going away," Sullivan said of the outbreak. "We can't treat the virus, just the symptoms."

 

[magnetic1]

been all over the news up here for a couple weeks. Don't do dog parks, or walks where your pups might meet other dogs.......avoid the vet.......groomers, etc...........don't let your dogs touch noses with any other pups......

Mine are safe at home tearing up their big fenced yard..........and I watch that no strays come up to the fence line....

 

[lectrickitty]

Historically dog flu has been called Parvo. Is this something new that's been developed or is it a case of mass media hype to scare people over a Parvo outbreak? I can't help but wonder if someone dropped a beaker somewhere accidentally or on purpose. Fear factor is running hi everywhere today.

 

[summerthyme]

Historically dog flu has been called Parvo. Is this something new that's been developed or is it a case of mass media hype to scare people over a Parvo outbreak? I can't help but wonder if someone dropped a beaker somewhere accidentally or on purpose. Fear factor is running hi everywhere today.

NO...this is NOT Parvo! Totally different diseases...like the difference between a really severe(often fatal) Norwalk virus, and true influenza. This "dog flu" can go into pneumonia or other serious bacterial secondary infections.

The biggest difference between Parvo and influenza is that Parvo generally is only a danger to pups...flu can affect all ages. (Yes, older dogs CAN get Parvo, but they usually don't...plus there is an effective vaccine for Parvo but not for this flu strain.

Summerthyme