Vets Warn Dog Flu Remains A Threat To Pets
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Vets are warning pet owners that the threat of dog flu is not over.
CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports, there is no season for dog flu. A pooch can get it anytime.
But with so many dogs out spreading germs this time of year, vets are spreading the word about vaccinations.
"It is not gone, absolutely not gone," said Dr. Jay Whittle, of the Mill Creek Animal Clinic in Palos Park.
In fact, Dr. Whittle says their clinic had a suspected case just this morning. So the vet staff suited up in protective gear and checked the dog, outside, to be sure no germs are spread.
According to the Canine Influenza Surveillance Network, 820 dogs have tested positive for dog flu in Illinois from last March through February, and 11 have died from it.
"It's going to keep coming back every year until we get rid of it by vaccinating dogs and protecting them," Whittle said.
Dixie's owner is not taking any chances.
"I don't want my dog ill or making other dogs ill," said Martha Krausz, who brought in her pit bull mix in for a booster.
Dr Whittle says it's a simple step that so far, has been 100 percent effective, with few, if any side effects.
Daisy and Lily are getting boosters too, although both have already had the dog flu.
"Daisy would not stop coughing ... and [then] vomiting," said Daisy's owner, Mike Plorkowski.
"I was very relieved that they got through it. It's a very scary disease."
Mill Creek has had five confirmed dog flu cases and treated another 12 suspected cases.
Because the flu test costs up to $90, many families decide to treat without getting confirmation.
A vaccination is just $28.
