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Valley veterinarians see no dog flu cases
By Denise Dick
BOARDMAN
Mahoning Valley veterinarians report no cases of dog influenza but urge pet owners whose pups may be experiencing similar symptoms to take the pet to the vet.
The flu in dogs is similar to that experienced by their owners.
“It’s a hacking cough, which can be a productive cough, bringing up a white foam,” said Dr. Valerie Thorn, a veterinarian at South Mill Pet Care.
The dog may be lethargic and not want to eat. It also could have a runny nose, a fever and, in some cases, vomiting.
“Any time a dog is showing symptoms, you should get them to the vet,” Dr. Thorn said.
She hasn’t seen any cases.
A dog flu outbreak has been reported in Chicago and other parts of the Midwest, closing dog parks and canceling activities.
Dr. Tiffany Preston, a veterinarian at the Poland Veterinary Centre, hasn’t seen any cases either and says there have been no local cases. There have been some suspected cases in Northeast Ohio, but nothing has been confirmed.
“As far as our area goes, there have been no confirmed cases of influenza like in Chicago,” Dr. Preston said.
Because the flu is a virus, it doesn’t respond to antibiotics, although a vet may prescribe an antibiotic if he or she suspects a secondary bacterial infection.
“It’s a lot like with people: Make sure they’re eating, drinking and staying hydrated,” Dr. Thorn said.
The virus can spread any time a group of dogs is together such as at a groomer, boarding facility, day care or dog park, she said.
It can be more problematic for short-nosed breeds such as pugs, boxers and Boston terriers.
A vaccine was developed several years ago when there were reports of an outbreak in dogs in Florida, and veterinarians’ offices carried it at that time, Dr. Thorn said. Because people weren’t requesting it, however, many no longer offer it.
“It’s not contagious between dogs and people or people and dogs,” Dr. Thorn said.
Those who have traveled to areas where dog flu cases have been confirmed should inform their veterinarian, she said.
Anyone who works with animals, however, should take such precautions as washing their hands to prevent spreading the illness from a sick to a healthy dog, Dr. Thorn said.
Dr. Preston said the symptoms in some illnesses such as kennel cough, which are unrelated to dog flu, mimic those of the dog flu.
“The important thing to know is that while, yes, there has been a quote, unquote outbreak in Chicago, we’ve not had any confirmed cases in Northeast Ohio,” she said. “It’s a sporadic disease and it will pop up and creep up periodically, but it’s resolved in a few weeks and then we don’t hear about it for a while.”