Sherry
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- Jan 15, 2011
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EAST LAMPETER TOWNSHIP,Pa. —
Veterinarians are calling canine influenza a problem so serious, it is close to a pandemic.
The canine flu first appeared in dogs three years ago and appears to be making a comeback in the Susquehanna Valley.
Vets at the VCA Smoketown Animal Hospital said they are seeing too many good dogs falling victim to the flu.
SarahUrban is a doctor used to seeing patients with H3N8, better known as dog flu,only once in a while.
"I believe it's a problem now especially in this area," Urban said."Typically we were seeing sporadic cases throughout the U.S. But now, forsome reason, we're seeing it here in this area."
In recent weeks, several boarding centers have had to be closed because of canine influenza outbreaks, and they've had to be quarantined. Veterinarians have said it becomes a big and potentially deadly problem, especially this time of year.
" I think with the summertime, people aren't inside, they're out playing with their dogs in the dog park," Urban said.
The virus is highly contagious among dogs, she added.
"You're intermingling with dogs you have no vaccine status of. So I think that's why we're seeing an increase," Urban said.
Officials said 6 percent of dogs die from the virus.
Urban said early detection is key to curbing its danger and spread.
"I think it's really important to get your dogs vaccinated. It's better to be ontop of it than having to deal with it when they become sick," Urban said.
In the past, many cases were untreated and misdiagnosed as kennel cough.
Now,veterinarians are learning new tricks by pushing a two-shot vaccination.
Symptoms of canine influenza are similar to the human flu and include cough, runny noseand fever.
Most veterinarians test for the virus with a simple nasal swab.
Veterinarians are calling canine influenza a problem so serious, it is close to a pandemic.
The canine flu first appeared in dogs three years ago and appears to be making a comeback in the Susquehanna Valley.
Vets at the VCA Smoketown Animal Hospital said they are seeing too many good dogs falling victim to the flu.
SarahUrban is a doctor used to seeing patients with H3N8, better known as dog flu,only once in a while.
"I believe it's a problem now especially in this area," Urban said."Typically we were seeing sporadic cases throughout the U.S. But now, forsome reason, we're seeing it here in this area."
In recent weeks, several boarding centers have had to be closed because of canine influenza outbreaks, and they've had to be quarantined. Veterinarians have said it becomes a big and potentially deadly problem, especially this time of year.
" I think with the summertime, people aren't inside, they're out playing with their dogs in the dog park," Urban said.
The virus is highly contagious among dogs, she added.
"You're intermingling with dogs you have no vaccine status of. So I think that's why we're seeing an increase," Urban said.
Officials said 6 percent of dogs die from the virus.
Urban said early detection is key to curbing its danger and spread.
"I think it's really important to get your dogs vaccinated. It's better to be ontop of it than having to deal with it when they become sick," Urban said.
In the past, many cases were untreated and misdiagnosed as kennel cough.
Now,veterinarians are learning new tricks by pushing a two-shot vaccination.
Symptoms of canine influenza are similar to the human flu and include cough, runny noseand fever.
Most veterinarians test for the virus with a simple nasal swab.
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Thanks for the info!
I was just at the vet on the 17th to get Franklin's last shots and grace's shots and they never said anything about it great one more thing I have to worry about with them it's been something different every week with franklin but I'd rather worry than have it happen so thank you for letting us know!
