LIL’ BUDDY’S BLOG: Be Careful You Dogs – Canine Flu Confirmed in IL!
LIL’ BUDDY’S BLOG: Be Careful You Dogs – Canine Flu Confirmed in IL!
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
We dogs need to be a bit concerned!
A few weeks ago a 4-year old Yellow Lab also named Buddy (no relation) was taken to an emergency Chicago vet with dangerous symptoms – coughing vomiting white foam and an uncharacteristic lack of energy.
This Buddy was among the first confirmed case of canine flu in Illinois. Among us dogs this flu is very contagious but treatable with rest and antibiotics. But it could be fatal if not treated. It is not contagious to humans.
Dog flu was first identified in Florida’s Greyhound population in 2004. It has since spread to 27 states.
We dogs should be concerned but not overly alarmed. Canine flu is often mistaken for kennel cough as both ailments affect dogs confined to close quarters or in cages – such as grooming parlors doggy day care centers and animal shelters. Buddy’s human owner said he got sick three days after a stay at in dog day care.
"The fortunate part is that most dogs recover just fine from this influenza just like most people do" said Dr. Cynda Crawford a research assistant professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville who has been studying the disease since its emergence.
About 50 or so cases were discovered after vets at the Animal Ark Veterinary Clinic on North Kedzie Avenue in the Logan Square Neighborhood of Chicago. Veterinarians there noticed dogs showing signs of respiratory infection. Dr. Derrick Landini at that clinic sent blood samples from the infected dogs to the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University which confirmed the presence of the canine flu antibodies.
We dogs as a species have yet to develop immunity against this disease. Most who are exposed get infected and 80 percent will get sick. Dogs who are exposed remain contagious for 7 to 10 days after infection whether or not they show symptoms. When sick symptoms can continue for as many as three weeks.
The State of Illinois is the 27th state to show documented cases of dog flu. Dogs can be exposed to the virus when they encounter other dogs especially those who have recently boarded at a kennel or groomer.
Read Deborah Shelton and Kristen Kridel’s story in the June 14th edition of The Chicago Tribune for more details.
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
