A New Deadly, Contagious Dog Flu Virus Is Detected in 7 States

[ElectroPrincess]

Damn! I don't kennel my beloved Miss Taro, but perhaps folks who do Kennel their K9s should consider a "pet sitting service" instead?

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/22/national/22canine.html?ex=1285041600&en=5ce0e29cf9f98dfb&ei=5089&partner=rssyahoo&emc=rss

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A new, highly contagious and sometimes deadly canine flu is spreading in kennels and at dog tracks around the country, veterinarians said yesterday.

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Dr. Cynda Crawford, an immunologist at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine who is studying the virus, said that it spread most easily where dogs were housed together but that it could also be passed on the street, in dog runs or even by a human transferring it from one dog to another. Kennel workers have carried the virus home with them, she said.

How many dogs die from the virus is unclear, but scientists said the fatality rate is more than 1 percent and could be as high as 10 percent among puppies and older dogs.

snip

The flu has killed greyhounds at tracks in Florida, Massachusetts, Arizona, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Texas and Iowa. Tracks and kennels have been forced to shut down for weeks for disinfection.

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[superconnected]

1. I heard there is no vaccination for this yet

very scary.

[ElectroPrincess]

2. Yes, the best thing we can do is pass this news along

to all K9 owners you know?

This is a horrific virus. Since my pup is elderly (12 years old). I'm alert and prepared to limit her socializing with other K9s.

Like us humans, the very young (pups >1 y.o.) and the elderly (dogs > 7 y.o.) are more likely to die from a flu virus.

[ernstbass]

3. My friend's puppy had this last year

It was hell getting it properly diagnosed and she almost lost the little fellow. She thinks the dog contracted it at the breeder's and it infected 2 of her other dogs. Scary stuff.

[smurfygirl]

4. keeping kicked

thanks for the info