UPDATE: New cases have just been confirmed in Chicago. (July 30, 2015) Please contact your Veterinarian to ensure your pet is inoculated and to find out if there are any recent cases in your state. This new strain of dog flu is not covered by your pet’s regular flu vaccination. If there are documented cases in your area, DO NOT board or groom your dog and if you notice symptoms, take your dog to the vet IMMEDATELY!
 You may already be aware of a reported outbreak of dog flu/canine influenza in the Chicago area, with a few reported cases in Wisconsin and Indiana. I don’t wish to cause alarm, but I consider this an important situation for dog owners which calls for some extra awareness and attention. Canine influenza (CI), or dog flu, is caused by an influenza A virus. Originally believed to be a strain of the H3N8 canine influenza identified in the U.S. dog population in 2004, this virus is now considered closely related to Asian strains of influenza A H3N2 viruses. Although it does not infect people, it’s highly contagious to other dogs and can occur year round. Most dogs recover within 2-3 weeks; however, some fatal cases of pneumonia resulting from CI have been reported. Exposure to the virus comes from other dogs, in situations such as boarding, dog parks, or other activities… |
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Jersey Girl Today 