Special Home Needed for a Special Dog

"Babykins" is a Rottie-mix that spent the first year of her life on a ten-foot chain.  When we first rescued her, we bought her into the home where she got along with our two little housedogs. This lasted about three months until one day one of the little house dogs got jealous and snapped at her. Although "Babykins" didnt start the fight, it was clear from her reaction that her intent was not only to defend herself but to also kill the little dog in the process. "Babykins" gabbed the little dog by the neck and began to shake her like a ragdoll and would not heed our commands to let go. This could be due to the fact that "Babykins" has no training and for this reason she will need a special home with no other dogs or young children and with someone who is either experienced in training dogs of this kind or who will pay to have her professionally trained.

Although almost 2 years old  now, "Babykins" is still full of energy and still has the playfulness of a pup. She loves to chase a ball and to play tug-of-war with an old sock. She is highly intelligent, good in the house when left alone, and loves everyone  she meets but yet is still a good watchdog.

We think that "Babykins" will make a great companion if just the right home can be found. Rescue is closing due to ill health of owner and "Baby" will have to be euthanized if just the right home isnt found soon. Call Chris (518) 753-7791 if interested.   

INFLUENZA, CANINE - USA: (TEXAS)

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A ProMED-mail post



ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases





Date: 17 Sep 2011

Source: My San Antonio.com [edited]







20 confirmed cases of canine influenza and 70 suspected cases have

been recorded in San Antonio dogs within the past 30 days, according

to a local veterinarian.



The disease, also known as dog flu, has also been reported in Austin

and Dallas, said Dr. Michele Wright, who helped identify the virus at

a local clinic.



According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas is

one of 38 states where dogs have been exposed to the H3N8 virus.



The 1st San Antonio case originated with 2 dogs that stopped at dog

day care centers and parks, both community sites where dogs could have

contracted the disease, Wright said.



Signs include a fever, runny nose and coughing, but some dogs infected

with the virus do not show symptoms. The virus is not transmitted to

humans, cats or other species. Wright said dogs shed, or transmit, the

virus through secretions that expose it to the environment.



"What's scary for me as a veterinarian is they can act and look

healthy and still be shedding the virus," Wright said.



Two tests can confirm the virus. The vaccine is available at

veterinarian offices.



According to the CDC, the virus was 1st detected in 2004 in

greyhounds. Scientists believe it jumped species from horses to dogs

and adapted to cause sickness and spread among dogs.



Wright said because many local dogs haven't been vaccinated, close to

100 percent would get the virus if exposed. 20 percent would transmit

it but not appear sick. 72 percent would show mild signs of coughing

that could linger for 2 to 3 weeks, and 8 percent could develop

pneumonia that could be life threatening.



Animal Care Services director Gary Hendel said ACS has not confirmed

any cases of canine influenza in the shelter. "It's a situation that

bears watching," Hendel said. "Should that situation change, we will

work with our local veterinary community to identify solutions to

prevent widespread outbreak."



Wright suggested that pet owners vaccinate their dogs; limit visits to

communal areas to prevent exposure, and keep dogs away from

contaminated areas for a month after immunization, to build up

immunity. "I think if we can get people vaccinating, we'll be able to

contain the virus," Wright said. "The hard thing is getting people to

vaccinate in areas that haven't seen it yet."



Dog flu is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by a

specific Type A influenza virus known as canine influenza virus. It is

not a human influenza virus, and people cannot get it.



The virus can be spread to other dogs by direct contact with

respiratory secretions from infected dogs, by contact with

contaminated objects, and by people moving between infected and

uninfected dogs. Nearly all dogs are susceptible to infection, but

most will have a mild form of the disease.



Clinical signs are cough, runny nose and fever; a small proportion of

dogs can develop severe disease, characterized by the onset of

pneumonia. Testing to confirm flu virus infection is done at

veterinary centers. An approved vaccine is available.



[Byline: Vincent T. Davis ]



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts





[Canine influenza is a type A orthomyxovirus. It mimics "kennel cough"

or _Bordetella brochiseptica_/parainfluenza virus complex, which

sounds like a hacking cough that does not seem to stop. The cough with

canine influenza can be either moist or dry, and about 20 percent of

infected dogs may show little or no clinical signs but still be

shedding virus. Canine influenza is contagious by aerosolized droplets

and contaminated fomites (inanimate objects) that the dog can contact.

People can transmit the disease to their pets.



Unfortunately, treatment is non-specific but generally supportive. It

is important to get treatment early to reduce the death rate.



For a brief fact sheet on canine influenza, see the Washington State

University College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington Animal Disease

Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) website at

. There is

also an information sheet available on the University of Florida

College of Veterinary Medicine website at

.

- Mod.TG]



[see also:

2009

----

Influenza, canine - USA (03): (VA) 20091024.3676

Influenza, canine - USA (02): H3N8 20090820.2945

Influenza, canine - USA: (NJ) 20090704.2405

2007

----

Influenza, canine - USA (PA): corr. 20070802.2495

Influenza, canine - USA (PA) 20070801.2482

Influenza, canine - USA (Multistate) 20070208.0502

2006

----

Influenza, canine - USA (FL) 20060620.1703

Influenza, canine - USA (WY) 20060503.1279

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate) 20060325.0921

2005

----

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate)(03) 20051002.2883

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate)(02) 20050925.2830

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate) 20050923.2811

2004

----

Equine influenza, canines - USA (FL) 20040801.2099]

.................................................sb/tg/msp/dk

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