Dog Flu Spikes Out West, While Chicago Stabilizes

(CBS) -- The dangerous dog flu that started here in Chicago is now causing major concerns as an outbreak spreads out west.

CBS 2's Audrina Bigos talks with local veterinarians about a new vaccine that should be better than the last time around.

Milton the dog is feeling like himself again. He suffered for three weeks when the dog flu outbreak hit Chicago the first time around.

"His cough was hoarse but luckily he got better," owner Kristine Young says.

The flu spread so quickly last year that some Chicago shelters were forced to close their doors. Within the last two weeks, a doggy daycare and boarding facility in the city had to close temporarily.

Blum Animal Hospital is seeing only about three to five canine influenza cases a week, compared with five to 15 cases a day at its peak last spring, veterinarian Natalie Marks says.

Dr. Marks says dogs should get the new vaccine that came out last month. It's supposed to be better than the last one and help dogs who are social.