Canine Flu Outbreak

A canine flu outbreak has caused many dogs across the Midwest to fall ill this month of April. The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine says that there are at least 1,000 dogs with the virus. Executive Director of the Animal Shelter Society, Jody Murray told us more about it on a state and local level.

“In Ohio it’s mainly in northwestern Ohio right now, here at the shelter, we haven’t had any cases of it. I haven’t heard of any cases found locally that’s not to say that there hasn’t been any.”

It is contagious so if you suspect another dog may have it, keep your pet away. Murray says though the flu itself is not deadly, a secondary infection could be. Murray says as the flu makes its rounds, there are signs and symptoms to watch out for.

“There could be some nasal discharge, coughing, in some cases elevated temperature.”

Murray encourages you to go to your vet with questions or if you want to get your dog vaccinated. There are plenty of healthy animals available for adoption at the shelter. Murray says Saturday they will be holding a special adoption event for area residents.

“It’s going to start at 10 o’clock and will last until 1. We’ve partnered up with Scholarship Central out of the community foundation…..the Mid East Vocational School is involved, Zane State has been involved. A lot of folks have been involved, but the carpentry class out at the vocational school has put together some dog houses for us. If you’re adopting a dog, and you need a house for it, we’ll have some of those available.”

The free dog houses will be given away on a first come first serve basis. If you are not in need of a dog house, you are asked to leave it for another in greater need. You are encouraged to make a visit to the shelter Saturday and give a pet a brand new life. You yourself will have a friend to love, and they’ll give you a whole lot of love and joy in return.