Canine Influenza

By now most readers may have heard about the outbreak of canine influenza in the Midwest. There are currently over 1,000 reported cases. The unfortunate fact is the strain is H3N2, and the current influenza vaccine against H3N8 is not thought to be protective. Canine influenza was discovered about 8 years ago in racing greyhounds in Florida and is documented in 40 states. States with the highest exposure to the virus include the Midwest, the Carolina’s, and Colorado. The risk is also increasing in Kansas. The virus causes flu-like symptoms: coughing, fever, malaise, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, and pneumonia. The kicker is that the virus causes permanent damage to… Read More Continue Reading