Several dogs at Loxahatchee Grove's Big Dog Ranch Rescue have been infected with canine influenza, a disease that targets the respiratory system of dogs, which is also highly contagious to other canines. The outbreak of the dog flu was confirmed by rescue house founder Laurie Simmons and the spokesperson Chase Scott.
Over 50 Canines Tests Positive with Unexpected Flu Outbreak at Rescue Center
Scott said that a dog was surrendered by a Palm Beach County owner, and was accommodated properly into the rescue shelter. However, after three days, the same dog tested positive for dog flu, also known as canine influenza. Simmons said that after the first dog tested positive, the flu spread to fifty to sixty dogs, making them weak and sick. Among the flu-infected canines, there were four additional dogs that caught pneumonia, but on the other hand, the good news is there were no fatalities inside the said shelter, reports WFLX.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue founder Laurie Simmons said that their initial observation of the surrendered dog shows a healthy and fit body. In addition, the acquired dog was already spayed, which is also a good thing. Simmons added that healthy dogs coming into the shelter are likely to be put together with other dogs for them to interact and play. These healthy dogs are put directly into the Big Dog Ranch Rescue adoption building.
However, Simmons also added that the four of the adoption buildings in the rescue center were on lockdown state since June. The rescue center founder said that PCR tests were conducted for the dogs following the outbreak, in collaboration with the University of Florida. Simmons claims that the canine influenza case was bigger than they have ever encountered on the center.
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Florida Canine Influenza Outbreak on High Alert
Along with the case from June, there were no canine influenza-positive dogs believed to be adopted before the month. At the moment, the only area of the center where dog adoptions are conducted is the puppy cabins, which is a detached area that is isolated from the areas with virus-positive dogs, WPTV reports.
Due to the incident, many adoption buildings will be closed to the public up until July. In addition to the response against the spread of infection, the management of the facility will begin to roll out vaccines to protect dogs unaffected by canine influenza this Thursday.
Canine influenza is a highly contagious disease that can be passed on easily to other dogs. The dog flu's transmission can be carried on skin, clothes, and shoes, with the virus surviving in a span of 48 hours on the surface of the materials. The flu can jump from dogs to humans by coughing before transmitting it to other dogs again. Dogs sniffing a spot where an infected dog coughs can also be a way for the transference of the virus.
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine experts Cynda Crawford stated that the county where the Big Dog Ranch Rescue is located is on high alert and advised other centers, as well as dog owners to stay safe from the virus.
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