Preventing Canine Flu

[MorrisAnimal]

With all of the panic about H1N1, we shouldn't forget about our best friends' health.

Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) is funding a new three-year study on Canine Influenza Virus (CIV). Led by Dr. Gabriele Landolt of Colorado State University, the project will help shelters develop effective testing and control methods to limit the effects of this disease in communities nationwide.

Commonly known as canine flu, CIV causes a great deal of pain and suffering in dogs. It spreads through coughing, sneezing and close contact in closed environments, which makes canine flu particularly damaging to dogs in shelters. Many shelters find it nearly impossible to rid their facilities of the disease once it is introduced. It can also affect pet dogs that spend time in boarding kennels and doggie daycare.

Researchers will learn more about how canine flu spreads among shelter dogs and will also determine whether there is a reliable "patient-side" test that could detect the virus during a dog's intake exam at a shelter. This would allow shelter managers to quarantine affected dogs and keep the virus from spreading to healthy animals. The information learned could also help promote the use of a vaccine for this emerging and common virus.

To learn more about how MAF is trying to preven CIV, read the whole article at Morris Animal Foundation (MAF): Funding Research to Protect, Treat, & Cure Animals

[Dirky47]

This is a friendly reminder. We, as a pet lovers, we need to think also our pet's health.

[dracopop]

Thanks for sharing. This serves as reminder to pet owners to consider also their pet's health.

[mrandrei]

When it comes to treating canine flu, I think the best way is to schedule an appointment with your vets so that they can evaluate your dog and recommend an appropriate treatment.

[Dirky47]

Originally Posted by mrandrei

When it comes to treating canine flu, I think the best way is to schedule an appointment with your vets so that they can evaluate your dog and recommend an appropriate treatment.

Agree on this! Vets knows best for your dogs.

[Ryan Smith]

Thanks for this.Our pet's health is equally imp as ours we should never forget that.