Dogs at Day Care Centres Are At Risk For Contracting Dog Flu Virus
IN PHOTO: Carlos Aguilez, a dog handler, holds a dog at the D Pet Hotel in New York December 5, 2013. Christmas travel season is one of the busiest times for America's 14,000 boarding facilities and all of the at home pet caretakers. And as Americans increasingly identify animals as members of their families, pet care has undergone an upgrade. Today, many pet hotels offer everything from 24/7 video-cams (so owners can see their pets at all times) to group play sessions and hikes and doggy paddle swims. For a price, of course. U.S. pet owners are on track to spend $2.1 billion on pet boarding expenses in 2013, according to market research firm IBISWorld. While the International Boarding & Pet Services Association estimates the average kennel stay at $30 a day, that number can go much higher, especially on the east and west coasts. At D Pet Hotels in Manhattan's uber-hip Chelsea neighborhood, a basic suite costs $84 a night, while a unit with a full sized human bed goes for $200. To match story PET-BOARDING/ Picture taken December 5, 2013. Reuters/Shannon Stapleton

A new strain of canine influenza virus that first hit Chicago area has been identified and is now spreading throughout midwestern states. Experts also say that boarding dogs in day care centres may have contributed to the outbreak.

University of Wisconsin-Madison News reports that researchers from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine identified the new virus strain as H3N2, which may have originated from Asia, believed to be brought into the U.S. by an infected animal. The H3N2 strain is different from H3N8 strain known to have circulated in North America.

The flu virus has already taken the lives of six dogs in Chicago area. There have also been reported cases in Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin. According to veterinary medicine professor from University of Wisconsin-Madison Dr. Keith Poulsen in an account from LiveScience by Tanya Lewis, this is one strain that the canine population has never seen before.

Not all dogs will exhibit the symptoms and according to Poulsen, only a small percentage of dogs can become carriers but will not show symptoms. However, some may experience common flu symptoms such as runny nose, cough and fever. In severe cases, dogs can go down with pneumonia or even death. Veterinarian Dr. Natalie Marks from Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago told CBS News that dogs in the U.S. are not equipped to fight against the virus since they have not been exposed to it before.

Meanwhile, doggie day care centres may have contributed to the epidemic since dogs usually come in contact with each other in these areas. According to the report from CBS News, the Chicago outbreak intensified over spring break when several families sent their dogs to boarding kennels.

While business for dog day care centres in Chicago may have been affected, some are starting to see customers coming back. However, the epidemic may not be over as there are veterinarians who have observed an increasing case of dogs with respiratory problems. "The majority of veterinarians are still reporting an increasing number of animals coming in with respiratory symptoms," said Dr. Donna Alexander, administrator at Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control.

Poulsen advises owners to keep their pets away from public places like dog parks. A vaccine for the H3N8 strain is available, but experts are not sure if this vaccine is effective against the new strain. According to Poulsen from a LiveScience report, a new vaccine is being formulated but it may take about six months before it becomes available on the market.

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