At least six dogs have died from a new virus sweeping across the Midwest.
More than 1,300 dogs have become infected with dog influenza, including states like Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin. Most of the cases stem from the Chicago-area.
Though no cases have hit Kansas yet, veterinarians say people should be on guard, especially if they’re traveling to high-risk areas, said Dr. Sarah Dugan, a veterinarian at the Skaer Veterinary Clinic. Dog parks and kennels were a part of the initial problem in Illinois.
“We are currently not recommending vaccinations,” she said. “If we start seeing reports of it in the area, we would go ahead and recommend using the influenza vaccine that’s available.”
DIFFERENT STRAINS OF DOG FLU
There are two different types of dog flu. The first type, known as H3N8, surfaced in the United States around 2004. It was a strain that originated in horses and then transferred to dogs. That previous strain was found in greyhounds.
The second type, known as H3N2, surfaced in April 2015. It’s a strain that originated in birds in Asia. Just like the prior strain, this one eventually made its way to dogs.
SYMPTOMS
Dog owners should keep their eye out for these symptoms for the newest form of dog flu:
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Lethargy
• Discomfort
• Fever
“Those dogs usually get better within 10 days to maybe a month at most. Then ether’s a more severe form, where those dogs will get high fevers and potentially pneumonia,” Dugan said.
Any dogs showing symptoms—especially those that have traveled to parts of the country exposed—should be taken to a veterinarian.