Possible CIV Outbreak

[Ron Carnes]

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/dogs-killed-as-illness-sweeps-...

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Thanks for posting this, Ron!

I'm going to call my vet about the risk in our area--about 100 miles NW of Houston.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The conditions for racing dogs at most tracks are abhorrent, so it doesn't surprise me that this flu outbreak swept through so violently and killed these dogs. Hopefully, it won't affect well-cared for pets.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

The Greyhound Industry here are notorious for their mistreatment of dogs and yesterday they found six dead greyhounds that had been shot dead in a pit in Ireland.  They are able to identify some of the dogs through their tattoo's and the police are going to prosecute if they find out who is responsible. My feeling about Greyhounds is what happens to all of the ones who don't 'make it'?  I'm sure they don't all find their way to happy homes though there is a great rescue organization here doing a good job of rehoming as many as they can, the rest I'm sure have very short lives or worse get sold for goodness knows what.... 

[Ron Carnes]

The only sure prevention is vaccination or keep you dog away from other dogs. It is spread the same as the human flu. If a dog with CIV coughs at the dog park, vets office, groomer or boarding facility it will spread to the general population. CIV has a 8% mortality rate. The symptoms are the same as Bordetella. After being exposed to CIV for 5 days a nasal swab will show up as negartive. Only a blood plasma test will then confirm. Many vets assume it is Bordetella due to the fact they survive but the lung lesions last forever. Bordetella is a life style vaccine due to the fact the owners do not want to hear the cough. No case of Bordetella has ever resulted in death.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My vet said the same thing.

[Ron Carnes]

I also had trouble finding a vet. It wasn't worth the risk for me when their was a breakout in my area. There are so many dogs rescue dogs transported long distances. There have been documented cases in California. This site shows states with confirmed CIV and has a clinic locator for vets that carry the vaccine. 30% of all boarding facilities require the vaccine.

 

http://www.doginfluenza.com/states_with_civ.asp

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

This is so sad!