Canine Flu Has Pet Owners Concerned

Canine Flu Has Pet Owners Concerned.
We need to keep on track of things like this.
Our 3 cats, along with our newest member of the family "Little Dog" are just like children to us, and we wouldn't want to see any of them sick or hurt.


Stella Thurkill
Q13 FOX News

September 22, 2005, 2:51 PM PDT

SEATTLE -- A new, highly contagious flu bug is spreading through parts of the country. This one can make your dog really sick. Veterinarians say some pets have actually died from it.

Shirley Munro has heard the startling news about the canine flu, a new, sometimes deadly form of a flu better known for affecting horses.

Shirley Munro/DOG OWNER: "Little bit of an alarm, but I think you go on with the things you do and keep and eye out."

Because Shirley says, Murphy isn't the type of dog who can stay indoors.

Shirley Munro/DOG OWNER: "I guess there's more risk in public places, but big dogs need exercise so you have to come to an off leash area."

Vets who have first-hand experience with this new Canine Flu say it can be passed from dog to dog -- in kennels, in shelters and in dog parks.

Close quarters aren't the only places where dogs are getting sick.

Vets outside our state say the canine flu is killing greyhound racing dogs in seven other states.

Dr. Mark Donovan/NW VETERINARY HOSPITAL: "Until recently, most flus were restricted to other species."

No confirmed cases of the disease have popped up here yet.

But it looks like there are reasons for vets and dog owners to remain on alert.

Dr. Mark Donovan: "I have heard through some faxes and e-mails at some animal shelters and emergency clinics that they were concern that this was a new strain of kennel cough bacteria and this may turn out to be some early cases of canine influenza in Seattle."

With that in mind, even pet lovers who try to keep their dogs healthy aren't taking the news of the canine flu lightly.

Dr. Mark Donovan: "Talk to your veterinarian if you're concerned about any symptoms. They may be able to help differentiate any of the diseases that could be going around."

Veternarians say symptoms of the canine flu include a serious cough and gagging for several weeks, a runny nose and extreme fatigue.
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