SWEET DREAMS
June 2015
Welcome to our first edition of SWEET DREAMS.
We selected 2 articles that seem to be top of
mind to our pet owners, so enjoy!
Don't worry, pet owners: Experts
say H3N2 dog flu is no cause for
panic
virus," said Colin Parrish, a virologist at Cornell
University's College of Veterinary Medicine and
member of an informal task force tracking the
canine flu's spread and effects. "But dogs don't
fly around the world in large numbers and shake
each other's hands. Because they don't have the
same social structure as humans, the viruses
spread more slowly."
There are two types of dog flu. The first, H3N8, is
nearly identical to a virus that has been known
for more than 40 years to infect horses. The virus
adapted to dogs, first infecting them in the U.S.
in 2004, according to the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
In humans, this would be a pandemic virus. But
dogs ... don't have the same social structure as
humans, [so] the viruses spread more slowly.Colin Parrish, a virologist at Cornell University's
College of Veterinary Medicine, on the H3N2
canine flu
The second dog flu, H3N2, is a mutated version
of a virus that occurs in birds, and was first found
in dogs in Asia in 2007. It appeared in the U.S.
last month. Although it's not fully known how it
made its way here, Parrish said some believe that
it may have been carried over during the rescue
of dogs being raised for meat in South Korea.
Pet owners don't need to panic about the H3N2
dog flu strain that recently arrived in the U.S.,
experts said. Pictured here is Bud, recently
recovering from the dog flu in Chicago.
There's a new strain of canine flu in the U.S., and
it has some pet owners worried about their furry
family members.
More than 1,000 dogs caught the illness during a
recent outbreak in Chicago, and infections are
reportedly emerging in other states, including
California. But the H3N2 canine flu -- not to be
confused with the seasonal H3N2 human flu that
sickened so many people last winter -- is no
cause for panic, experts say.
Most dogs won't get seriously ill if they catch dog
flu. What's more, a contagious virus in dogs is
unlikely to spread rapidly (as flu can in people)
because dogs simply aren't as mobile, or as
social, as we are.
The American Veterinary Medical Assn. reports
that dogs that are sickened by canine flu fall into
two categories: those with a mild form (causing
coughing, lethargy and sometimes a nasal
discharge) and those with a more severe version
accompanied by high fevers and
"It's the entire range, just like in people," said
Dr. Polina Vishkautsan, a UC Davis veterinarian.
Dogs that get sick from canine flu can be treated
with supportive care such as antibiotics for
secondary infections or fever-reducing
medications, and most get better in two to three
weeks. Fewer than 10% of dogs confirmed to
have canine flu die as a result of the infection,
the CDC says.
Although a vaccine is available for the H3N8
strain, scientists don't know whether it would
prevent H3N2 infections, Vishkautsan said. She
said that she doubted it would, because of
differences between proteins in the two flu types.
Dogs at the highest risk of contracting canine flu
are those that have the most contact with other
dogs, often in such locations as boarding kennels,
doggy day care and animal shelters.
Both Vishkautsan and Parrish said they had heard
reports of at least one confirmed H3N2 dog flu
infection in Southern California, but they didn't
have details.
Crucially, canine influenza is not known to have
ever infected people -- though it was reported to
have sickened some cats in South Korea in 2010.
The CDC calls the viruses "a low threat to
humans" but will continue to monitor them both,
in case either mutates and gains the ability to
infect humans (as the pandemic H1N1 swine flu
and the deadly H5N1 bird flu did in the past.)
To prevent infection in pets, owners should
exercise caution before taking dogs to locations
where other infected animals are likely to be.
Hand washing can also help halt the spread of
disease. And if dogs do develop symptoms,
owners should keep them away from other dogs.
"It's mostly just common sense," Vishkautsan
said.
Whether you need to run a quick errand or you
work full time, you probably have to leave your
dog alone now and then. Unfortunately for dogs,
they are naturally social animals and prefer not
to be alone. In some cases, dogs may act out
their frustrations by exhibiting certain behaviors,
such as destructive chewing or digging, excessive
barking or having accidents inside the house. In
most cases, your dog is simply bored or may be
an immature puppy. Boredom-related behaviors
usually occur an hour or more after you leave the
house. If you come home after only 30 minutes
and find there is no problem, your dog probably
does not have separation anxiety. He may just be
bored!
What can you do for bored dogs?
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Consider doggy day care, hiring a dog
walker or taking your pet to work as
options.
Provide your dog with fun, safe,
interactive toys to help occupy him while
you are away.
Make sure your dog gets plenty
of exercise before you leave for the day —
tired pets are happier pets!
If your dog is a puppy or youngster, he
may have to outgrow his boredom-related
behaviors. You can prevent most issues by
crating him or confining him to a certain
area.
Your dog may be reacting to noises
outside your home and barking in
response. Try playing quiet classical music
or leaving the TV on to mask these noises,
calm your pet and keep your neighbors
happy.
In some cases, providing an appropriate
companion animal may alleviate
loneliness.
Article from LA Times
If your dog exhibits destructive behavior, has
accidents, leaves puddles of saliva or injures
himself while you are away, you may be dealing
with true separation anxiety. How do you know?
Leave your pet alone for 30 minutes and if you
find a problem, your dog probably is suffering
from separation anxiety.
What can you do for separation anxiety?
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Separation Anxiety
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Don’t punish your
dog. Punishment doesn’t correct the
behavior, but rather will increase the
anxiety and worsen the situation.
Change your behaviors or routine. To get
your dog accustomed to your leaving, pick
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up your keys and walk toward the door;
but don’t leave the house. Put on your
shoes and jacket, but don’t leave. Walk
out the door, but come right back. Do this
several times until your dog no longer
exhibits anxious behavior.
Don’t make a big deal out of leaving, and
then leave the house for a few minutes at
a time. If your dog does not display any
anxious behavior, you can gradually
increase these planned absences so that
your dog never has a chance to show any
separation anxiety.
Greet your dog briefly when you return
(don’t gush), and then resume your
normal activities.
Article From: American Humane Society