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Scientists Confirm Chicago Dog Flu Is New Strain from Asia

The near-epidemic canine flu that has sickened more than 1,000 dogs in the Chicago area — and resulted in the death of five dogs — is not H3N8, as originally thought.

On Sunday, laboratory scientists at Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin confirmed the flu strain is actually H3N2.

“The H3N2 was brought here almost for certain by a dog from Asia, or that had visited Asia and came over here while they were infective, which is a very short window,” Dr. David Gonsky, of West Loop Veterinary Care in Chicago, told MyFoxChicago.com.

H3N2 has never before been identified in North America. There have been outbreaks of this canine flu in China and South Korea since 2006.

According to a press release from Cornell University, the symptoms of both H3N8 and H3N2 include high fever, loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharge and lethargy. The symptoms may be more severe for the H3N2 virus. For both viruses, some infected dogs may not show any symptoms. Most at risk are puppies, older dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems.

The flu has started spreading beyond Chicago. A dog in Madison, Wisc., was diagnosed with it last week. Cases have also been reported in Indiana and Ohio, according to the Wausau Daily Herald.

Here are tips for preventing your dog from getting the H3N2 virus.

Photo credit: Laura

Illinois Tornado Victim’s Missing Dog Reunited with Family

After the deadly EF-4 tornado struck Fairdale, Ill., Thursday, Missy, a white German Shepherd belonging to one of the disaster’s two victims, Geraldine “Geri” Schultz, was nowhere to be found.

“This man has lost everything,” Sue Frazier, the daughter of Geri and her husband, Clem Schultz, told the Chicago Tribune Saturday morning. “He lost his home. He lost his wife. He needs to find his dog.”

As Geri’s grieving family was speaking to reporters, they received a phone call. A utility worker driving down a road had seen what he first thought was a white shadow in a field. Then he realized it was a dog. Could it be Missy?

It was. But she was still so traumatized from the storm that she took off running when the Schultz family approached her. Schultz’s grandson, Tyler Rowan, told NBC Chicago the family chased her for over 2 miles until they were finally able to catch her.

And ever since that moment, Clem hasn’t let go of her, Rowan said.

“We are all happy she is home! Bless you all and we are all forever grateful for your help!” read a status update Saturday on the Facebook page The Search for Missy, which was created Friday in hopes that someone would find her.

The Facebook pages Fairdale and Rochelle Illinois Pet Recovery and Dekalb and Surrounding Areas Tornadoes Lost and Found Pets — NDARTT have been created to help other pet parents reunite with their missing four-legged family members.

Anyone interested in fostering a found pet is asked to contact Traci Ann at the Kirkland Fire Department.

“I miss my grandma so much and I would like to thank everyone helping with finding Missy and donations for my grandpa, Clem,” wrote another of Schultz’s grandsons, Dustin Pierce, on the NDARTT Facebook page.

“His dog Missy and my grandma’s Pomeranian, Buddy, are all my grandpa has left to feel close to my grandmother.”

Photos via Facebook

Near-Epidemic Dog Flu Spreads from Chicago to Wisconsin

Updated dog flu news

APRIL 14, 2015 UPDATE: Laboratory scientists have confirmed that the flu affecting dogs in Chicago is not H3N8. It is H3N2, a strain from Asia that has previously not been seen in the United States.

Five dogs in the Chicago area have died since January from H3N8, a type of respiratory flu that is highly contagious to other dogs, but not to humans. Thousands of cases have been diagnosed in the last few months, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Yesterday, a dog in Madison, Wisc. — about 150 miles north of Chicago — was diagnosed with H3N8.

“Canine influenza has been confirmed in a patient in the Madison area,” stated the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in an advisory.

Dr. Jerry Klein, supervising veterinarian for the Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center, described the spread of the dog flu as near-epidemic. “In my 35 years, this is the worst outbreak,” he told WLNS.

The first outbreak of canine influenza occurred back in 2004, when Greyhounds at a racing track in Florida became ill, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Since then, the flu has been reported in 30 states.

The current outbreak is expected to last for a few more weeks.

Here are tips for preventing your dog from getting the H3N2 virus.

Photo credit: Dylan Tweney

Stolen Yorkie Flags Down RSPCA Van for Help

As Stephanie Law, an inspector for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), drove along a deserted country road in England last week, a Yorkshire Terrier suddenly appeared out of nowhere, barking at her van.

When Law opened the door, the little dog jumped in beside her.

“I have had plenty of people wave me down for help, but I have never actually been flagged down by a dog in need of rescue before,” Law told RSPCA News. “It was as if he recognized my uniform and knew I was there to rescue him.”

The 7-year-old Yorkie, whose name is Alfie, had been stolen from his house in the West Midlands, more than 100 miles away, on March 21. He was apparently dumped in the woods days later.

“We are over the moon to have Alfie back – we didn’t think we would see him again,” his dog mom, Kirsty Mitton, told RSPCA News. “I just jumped straight in the car to drive the 112 miles as soon as I heard he was safe.”

Unfortunately, Mitton’s other dog, a Yorkie named Lillie who was stolen along with Alfie, is still missing.

“Thank goodness we had Alfie microchipped, as there’s no way we would have been traced without that,” Litton said. “Sadly, Lillie has not been chipped, so we would really appreciate anyone who might recognize her to let the RSPCA know. We’ve learned the hard way how important it is to have your pets chipped.”

Photo: RSPCA

Help the ASPCA ‘Get Tough’ on Dog Fighting

Thousands of dogs are injured or killed each year in illegal dog-fighting operations in the United States. In honor of National Dog Fighting Awareness Day (NDFAD) April 8, the ASPCA has launched the “Get Tough” campaign, asking animal lovers to advocate for stronger laws and harsher sentences for creeps who fight dogs.

Last year, the U.S. Dept. of Justice (DOJ) prosecuted 10 federal dog-fighting cases and secured the longest sentence (8 years) ever, according to the ASPCA. However, thousands of dog-fighting operations continue to operate across the country.

To participate in the Get Tough campaign, you can do the following:

Sign the ASPCA’s petition asking the DOJ to continue to crack down on dog fighting.
Download a free digital toolkit that includes social media shareables, a printable poster and more.
Snap a selfie with the printable poster and share it on social media with the hashtag #GetTough.

Back in 2007, when dogs were seized from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels, the general mindset was that fighting dogs could not be rehabilitated. Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, told the New York Times the organization recommended that all fighting dogs, including those belonging to Vick, be euthanized shortly after they were seized.

Fortunately, dog experts from BAD RAP and Best Friends Animal Society knew better, and helped to change that mindset. They took in the Vick dogs, worked with them and eventually found loving forever homes in which many of these “unadoptable” survivors thrived, and even became therapy dogs.

Here are stories about dogs rescued from fighting operations who paid it forward and led happy lives:

Photos: ASPCA; Laura Goldman (that’s Ella and Leroy, who gets very sad at the thought of dog fighting)