[News] 'DOG FLU' confirmed in Chicago, IL
 

The article below is from Chicago Tribune

'Dog flu' confirmed in animals treated at North Side veterinary clinic
Cases are first known in Illinois

By Deborah L. Shelton | Tribune reporter
2:21 PM CDT, June 13, 2008

Canine influenza, an emerging infectious disease affecting dogs, has been confirmed for the first time in Illinois.

Antibodies for the virus, also known as "dog flu" and first identified in racing greyhounds in Florida in 2004, were detected in five blood samples taken from sick dogs treated at a North Side veterinary clinic.

Dr. Derrick Landini, a veterinarian and owner of Animal Ark Veterinary Clinic, said his clinic recently saw a spike in the number of dogs showing symptoms of respiratory infection, including severe coughing, lethargy and vomiting phlegm.

At least 50 to 60 dogs have been treated at the clinic in the last three weeks, Landini said. Suspecting canine influenza, he sent six blood samples to the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University, which confirmed the presence of the antibodies in five. One sample has yet to be returned.

The disease, which usually is not fatal and can be treated with antibiotics, has been reported in multiple states.

In its early stages, canine flu can be mistaken for kennel cough, a milder condition that also affects dogs confined in close quarters, like animal shelters, grooming facilities and day-care centers for dogs. Dog flu can progress to bacterial pneumonia, which can be fatal to puppies, sick dogs and older dogs.

'Dog flu' confirmed in animals treated at North Side veterinary clinic -- chicagotribune.com

Thanks for the heads up. I am going to be keeping mine close to home. Last thing I need woth 4 dogs, one a puppy, one old and sick and one on an immune supressing drug for her allergies!!!

Glad I could help. Dr. Landini from Animal Ark is Chiara's vet and I called the clinic today to find out what's the best prevention (if any).

I was told: Currently there is no vaccine for canine influenza. If possible, I should limit Chiara's exposure to other dogs. If I notice any coughing, runny nose, discharge I should bring her in so they prescribe her antibiotics.

There is nothing you can do to prevent your dog from getting the flu but hopefully limiting the exposure to other dogs can help.

Thanks for the info. :thumbup:

Here is a link to follow up article from Chicago Tribune today

Is Rover coughing? It could be dog flu. -- chicagotribune.com

Thanks for the heads up. I live in Illinois also. So I beleive that I will be keeping the boys very close to home.

Thanks for the post. I never realized that this can be a problem. Very informative.

Didn't know this either, thanks

same i had no idea our furkids could get the flu. thanks for reporting it!

Thanks so much for posting that! I appreciate it!

:aimeeyork This is very good information, Thank You:thumbup:

My dog has already been on two courses of antibiotics (Amoxicillin and Clavamox) and he still has a runny nose and coughing like a kennel cough. Although after the antibiotics he seemed to perk up and felt like eating... But still got the 'kennel cough' or flu or something.

I am in central Ohio.

Brittany and Bentley:aimeeyork

So glad it's finally been proven dog CAN indeed get the flu. Hope everyone furkids stay healthy and don't get it. Sure sounds like there's a lot of it going around.

That had to have been what Bentley had. He's mostly over it now, still coughs a few times a day and sneezes, still has a runny nose, but today I think is the turning point. He played nonstop for about an hour. Running attacking his toys, just having a blast.

He's eating normally and drinking normally now. Oh thank goodness! I'm so excited to see him grow and be a happy healthy puppy. HEHE

Thanks for the information.