Canine Owner Alert- Dog Flu is on the rise!
Breeders and dog owners alike need to take heed of this warning: The Dog Flu is on the rise!
Everyone has been worried, of late, about the swine flu virus. We have good reason to be concerned. For the first time ever, the flu virus has crossed over to affect our beloved dogs and cats! Veterinarians across the United States are preparing themselves for an influx of dogs and cats being affected by a virus called H3N8. While this particular strain of flu doesn't seem to be harmful to humans, it can kill dogs and cats.
This particular strain of dog flu was discovered in Greyhounds in 2003. The strain of flu was rampant from 2002-2005 and affected many dogs around the United States regardless of how vigilant the dog owners and breeders were. This same flu virus has spread to 30 states now. It mutated from a horse disease about 40 years ago and has remained a dog killer ever since!
Dr. Kimberly May, of the American Veterinarian Medical Association, has said that the H3N8 flu virus is most commonly spread by dogs when they touch noses or come into contact with each other. Dogs can further become infected by humans who may have had contact with a dog who is suffering from this illness.
The most common areas being affected the most are dog shows, kennels, dog parks, pet stores and any place where dogs and humans congregate together. Breeders are not immune to this deadly dog flu, regardless of how vigilant they are when allowing people to handle their available puppies and dogs. Dr. May says, "This virus can persist for two to four weeks in the environment. Possibly even longer."
Another veterinarian, Dr. Dean of New Jersey's Ridgewood Vet hospital says, "That means the disease can be spread from contact with doggie toys, clothes and even hands." Many people may even assume that their puppy or dog has come down with the parvo virus when actually they may be suffering from the dog flu. Tamiflu has been flying off of the shelves ever since the swine flu became evident here in the United States. Some dog owners and breeders alike know that Tamiflu works very well for dogs who have been infected by the dog flu.
Your doggie or kitty may experience the following:
1. Sneezing
2. Coughing
3. Fever
4. Nasal discharge
5. Loose stools
6. Lack of appetite
These symptoms can last for two to four weeks. Symptoms will progress if the dog isn't diagnosed and treated. This virus can kill your dog. The dog flu virus, H3N8, doesn't discriminate! It can affect dogs of all breeds.........all ages....and the most susceptible are senior pets and very young pets. Those with existing health issues are at risk as well and of course, they are at a greater risk if they are already sick and elderly. While you can help reduce the risks by having your puppies and dogs and kitties vaccinated, remember that this virus is like many that can still occur regardless of innoculations.
Anyone who owns a dog or cat must take extra precautions when allowing others to handle their pets. Be careful about where you take your pet for walks. If you are a kennel owner or a breeder, you are going to want to step up your handling policy. The only way we can truely protect our pets from dying of these virus' that continue to get stronger and stronger each and every year, is to remain vigilant and stay on top of ensuring our pets are vaccinated and keep ourselves updated on new strains that come out each and every year!
**About the author: Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World, has been writing about the Goldendoodle since 1999. Dee is one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle hybrid for the entire southern region of the United States. Dee was the first breeder in the United States to register the Goldendoodle dog with a ligit kennel club, UKCI.
**The content in this article may not be reposted, copied or redistributed without giving credit to its author, Dee Gerrish of Goldendoodle World. Copyright protected, all rights reserved, 11-09-2009
**Obtain more information about Goldendoodle World at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com
Goldendoodle World was founded in 1999 by Dee Gerrish. Dee has written many popular dog articles that can be found all over the internet. More information can be found on her Goldendoodle World website.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com
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R&P: I'm feeling like s@#t...OH! And I need me some song recommendations....save your beloved Death 06!!?
If it's okay with you guys, I wanna take this time to vent...
First of all, how is everyone??? I'm horrible thanks for asking and I'll tell you why...
It all started Wednesday. . . I woke up late for school because I was feeling horrible. I had a fever, I was sweating and my throat was sore. So actually we need to back up to about two days prior to this. I slept with my floor to ceiling window open because it was insanely hot in my room. The middle of April and the management in the building still has the ***king heat on! This particular night it was also raining all night! Literally like all night it rained, which was pretty neat because I love sleeping in the rain. So FF>> back to Wednesday I'm really feeling sick so I stay home. My mom is all nervous because she thinks I got Swine Flu...
Speaking of...Swine Flu?? Seriously? It's like dog flu, bird flu, mad cow disease....all of these illnesses that you can't get unless you actually fornicate with the animal for which the disease is named after!! It's crazy O.o
Anyways...Ever since Wednesday I've been out sick! The worst kind of sick! Over the last three days I've coughed up enough phlegm to fill an entire river bed. Every time I cough I feel like my heart or some other internal organ is gonna spew itself right up, I did vomit like crazy once and it was weird cause everything was like clumped together into one ball...and I was sooo disoriented and tired I might've thought it was in fact an organ I threw up...I've lost my sense of smell and have not regained it back since...and lemme tell you, it really doesn't help when I'm coughing and I also happen to be stuffy in both my nostrils. It's like I can't even breathe at this point. It's a strange feeling I don't know how to describe. I cough badly, but then it's like everything gets backed up because my nose is stuffed...I dunno...*sigh*
Thanks for lending me the soap box...you guys are true friends...
Now per my question...I could use some new music right now. What have you guys got?? Industrial rock will be strongly and greatly appreciated but not necessary.
I don't have the Swine flu Shred...may you rest easy now knowing I don't =)
Vicky!! Pig AIDS? LMAO...that first band was cool and you better bet I love me some Vanity Beach!!
Lol...Wow, I'm so dumb! For all who said to, yea I've been to see my doctor and I'm on antibiotics. No worries...aww, I love y'all!
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What are the symptoms of the "swine flu" if it's even real?
I don't really want to know, but here is what I have to say:
Anthrax, West Nile Virus, Small Pox, Sars Virus, Bird Flu and now Swine Flu. What's next? The Dog Flu or East Clinton virus? Don't believe the constant marketing to sell drugs/vaccines. True health comes from the inside out!
i DO watch the news. It's all a bunch of crap. Most of the people who have died from it either have a low immune system, or got "vaccined" for it.
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What kind of dog is this a picture of? http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/the-dog-flu-virus-are-you-?
Just curious what kind of dog this is: http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/the-dog-flu-virus-are-you-or-your-pet-at-risk/?hp
I used to own a dog that had a head that looked like this dogs head. He was short, but stumpy, very strong.
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My dog sometimes acts like he's hyperventilating. Anyone seen this before?
I have a 3.5 year old neutered male Corgi, who has had good health since we got him from the registered breeder, so he has good bloodlines too. He weighs 25lbs which the vet says is perfect, with being fed 1/3rd cup of Iams MiniChunks ProActive Health twice daily, as well as maybe 6 baby carrots as treats throughout the day. We keep him exercised with games indoors, and walk him around our acreage on a leash, because he would explore without stopping if we let him loose, resulting in me having to run two field-lengths in my boxers and flip-flops just to catch him. Just thought I'd give you a good background on him.
Rarely, maybe two or three times a year, I will see him have a brief episode of breathing problems lasting only a minute or two, but very dramatic. The most recent one, I got up close and did everything I could to observe what was going on with him. He breathes in as strong as possible, with his ribs becoming visible as he takes a huge breath in, and all the effort to inhale being done in a very quick intake of air, and then relax, letting the air come back out, and then a delay, and then repeat. He always breathes in through his nose when he is doing this. I have had some bigger dogs in the past that never did anything like this. He did not sneeze at all before or after the breathing problems, so I don't think he was just trying to snort out congestion, but it looks like that's what he would be trying to do. He hasn't ever had any nose infections, boogers, runny nose, none of that, just healthy all the time, maybe gets a dog flu once or twice a year for a few days.
I tried videotaping it this last time but by the time I got my video camera going (my phone doesn't have video) he had pretty much stopped doing it. Even as it was going, he seemed sort of unaware of the problem, like I could call his name and he would look at me and focus attention, while still having the sudden intakes of breath, so I don't think it's a seizure. I've seen/held a dog having a seizure before as it was in its last hours, and this definitely was not that, he had full awareness and muscle control of everything except his breathing. Also, getting his attention and messing with him did not interrupt the breathing problems, so I doubt it was something he was purposefully doing, such as trying to clear his nose. Some sort of breathing attack. I mentioned this to his vet before, but without the detailed observations of this most recent episode, and he didn't have much to say for what it might be, and even took some lung x-rays and says everything looks totally fine.
I just want to figure out what is happening and if it is something serious. Maybe dogs do this to clear their noses, and other ppl are familiar with this and it's nothing to worry about, but I've never seen it before, and it looks like a serious breathing attack when it's happening, and deeply concerns me. But since he only does it like twice a year, unless I catch it on video, I have nothing much more to tell my vet.
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Plz help I'm very scared?
My 2 year old beagle Lulu (Lucy) Has had the so called "Kennel cough" It usually lasts 10-21 days Its been 3 whole months what does she have a low-grade fever,dog flu,or a nasal disease?
I want to do the recomended pet appointments but I don't have enough money I had to pay for me and my dads med bills
She was diagnosed with kennel cough.It could be allergies dog flu (Canine Influenza), low grade fever, I have a Brussels griffin mix chiuaua Bella (sister's) and a white kitten Nessie (sister's) Lucy is mine and my sister thinks it just allergies. But I don't know could be a small cold my sister and I had. So please don't add answers if you don't really know. I don't need to get worried if it's nothing or if it's something very servere. Thanks! ?PolkaDot?
I know she doesn't have heart worm. I used the last of my money about a week ago for an analysis for lucy
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