Dog owners are cautioned to keep their fur family members from going nose-to-nose with other dogs to help avoid catching a serious case of dog flu.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine told the Associated Press that 1,000 dogs in several states – including Wisconsin – have come down with canine flu, and some of them have died from it.
Two strains – H3N2 and H3N8 – cause a cough, running nose and fever, so clinical assistant professor Keith Poulsen wants fur parents to watch their animals and take them to the vet if their dog(s) starts showing symptoms and to keep them home from doggie day care.
“It’s really no different if you’re talking about dogs or toddlers, if you think they’re sick, don’t bring them to day care,” Poulsen is quoted as saying.
The H3N8 strain has caused some fatalities, and the H3N2 vaccine might not be effective against it.
Racine-area fur parents are urged to get their dogs vaccinated against H3N2 and to watch their animals carefully for signs of the flu.