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Dog Flu Hits Illinois

By Tim State in News on Jun 14, 2008 5:16PM

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Dogs in close proximity can pass to each other the canine flu virus. Photo by hexion.

Illinois is now the 27th state to confirm incidents of dog flu, most commonly picked up by dogs confined in close quarters, such as doggy day cares and grooming facilities.

Canine flu’s symptoms include a hacking cough, lethargy, and vomiting phlegm. It can often be mistaken for kennel cough. After a spike in the number of respiratory infections, blood sample tests confirmed the presence of dog flu. Like the flu in humans, most dogs recover just fine. Secondary infections can result from the flu, such as pneumonia, but those are often treated proactively with antibiotics.

In light of the discovery, many doggy day care facilities are asking owners not to bring their dogs to day care if they have a cough. Some facilities have even sent dogs home early because they develop a cough. Chicago Vet Dr. Dylan Frederickson told the Trib:

Our thinking is that this is probably going to be endemic to Chicago. It's going to be difficult to prevent spread of the disease in a urban setting like Chicago because there is such a high density of animals and so many boarding situations and grooming facilities. People just don't have the luxury of leaving their dogs in their backyards.

Canine flu: further proof that day care centers are living petri dishes. [Trib]