First Case Of Dog Flu Confirmed In Massachusetts

BOSTON (CBS) – Dog owners are being urged to vaccinate their pets as the first case of canine flu this year has been confirmed in Massachusetts. A six-month-old poodle was treated and released on Aug. 14 after a two-day stay at the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center. The MSPCA is urging owners of at-risk dogs to consider vaccinating their pets against the highly contagious virus for added protection. Veterinarians estimate that the the vaccine is about 60 percent effective. Dr. Virginia Sinnott of Angell’s Emergency & Critical Care Unit examines a dog after Massachusetts saw its first confirmed case of dog flu this year. (WBZ-TV) “We cannot confirm that this case was ‘patient zero’ in Massachusetts, but we do know that this dog had not traveled to states that have recently experienced outbreaks of flu,” said Dr. Virginia Sinnott of Angell’s Emergency & Critical Care Unit. “We must therefore recommend dog owners take preventative measures to reduce their pet’s chances of contracting the virus.” The poodle that ultimately tested positive arrived at Angell on Aug. 12 with a high fever and cough. The veterinary team suspected canine flu. The dog was treated in isolation and the hospital’s infection control plan was activated. “Even as we treated the patient with fluids and antibiotics we ensured that every surface in our critical care unit was disinfected to prevent the spread of the virus,” said Sinnott, who underscored t...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Boston News Health Syndicated Local Angell Animal Medical Center dog flu MSPCA Source Type: news