The Dog Flu Virus is Here

According to today’s Science Times, there’s a new dog flu virus going around—H3N8. It has struck predominantly in Florida, New York City’s northern suburbs, Philadelphia and Denver, says New York Times health reporter Donald McNeil, but has been found in 30 states. (It was first found in 2004 among a group of Florida Greyhounds.)

Brachycephalics—dogs with short snub noses—are particularly at risk, say some vets.

H3N8 can be passed by dogs rubbing noses or sharing a water dish, and humans can carry it on their clothes, says Dr. Cynda Crawford of the University of Florida. She predicts it kills five percent of the dogs who contract it. The virus tends to exist in places where dogs live closely together such as shelters, kennels and pet stores. Says the article: “Some veterinarians have found that the dogs that tend to die from it are the 'brachycephalics'—dogs with short snub noses.”

I did some research and found that the most common sign is a cough that lasts for 10-21 days, longer than typical “kennel cough.” Symptoms may also include a nasal discharge and a low fever.

The good news is, the United States Department of Agriculture approved a vaccine last week. (It’s unclear whether the bordatella vaccine will do anything to protect your dog or whether your vet will currently have the vaccine, but I’m checking with my veterinarian to get more information.)

For more information on the virus, check back this week on Dr. Crawford’s NY Times blog by clicking here. If you have any additional information, please share it!

Portuguese Water Dog Numbers Growing

It’s not too surprising, but the NY Post reported yesterday that the number of Portuguese Water Dogs in New York City has tripled over the last two years. Fifteen were registered in 2007, compared to 45 being registered so far this year. (Um, yeah, pretty sure there are also a hundred or so others that aren’t registered.) Interest has grown, of course, because President Obama adopted Bo, a “portie,” for his two daughters.

Bo, the first dog

If you’re looking for a Portuguese water dog, why not contact the breed’s rescue group? The rescue and relocation coordinator for the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America is:

Mary Harkins 
Coopersburg, PA 18036
(610) 346-9370 
rescue@ pwdca.org

Or, go to Petfinder. I did a quick search and saw several looking for homes on the site.

Needlepoint Dog Collars

I’ve had a few people criticize the collars I’ve posted as “too chick-ish.” Well, not sure if these are more masculine, but I’d classify them as unisex. Check out these summer-y, preppy needlepoint ones from Smathers & Branson. Another good bet—available this fall—are collars from Tucker Blair. They’ll also have custom needlepoint collars.

Smathers & Branson collarCollar from Tucker Blair

Consider Fostering a Dog

I want to introduce you all to an amazing organization—Animal Care & Control of New York City. It is the only animal rescue group here in the city that is required by law to take in all homeless pets. Every day, they open their doors to animals that have nowhere else to go and would otherwise be left on the street. As a result, they often have more animals than the shelter can hold, and that lack of space places the animal at risk of being euthanized.

Blair, one of the dogs currently at Animal Care & Control

If you can, I hope that you’ll consider fostering an animal for AC&C. You’d be buying the animal more time and likely saving a life. Most of these dogs have been literally abandoned by their owners on the streets of New York. No, I’m not joking. It’s heartbreaking. Some are nearly starved; some have been abused; and some have been forcibly bread and then simply ditched.

As an AC&C foster parent, you would take care of an animal in your home until the animal has a permanent home. You could bring the foster animal to AC&C adoption events and, in conjunction, conduct your own adoption efforts. Throughout this entire period, AC&C will work with you to help you find your foster dog a permanent new family.

I know, we all have constraints on our time and money, especially now. But I think you will agree that this is just a good thing. And it would be incredibly fulfilling. If you can’t foster a dog, please forward this post along to any and everyone and tell them about AC&C’s efforts.

For more information, go to their website at www.nycacc.org/foster.htm or email Animal Care & Control’s wonderful foster coordinator directly. Her name is Maggie O’Neill, and her email address is moneill@nycacc.org.

New iPhone App Can Locate Dog Parks

Eukanuba has announced that they’ve developed a new iPhone application—Off Leash—to help you find the nearest dog parks using your current location or zip code.

How it works: You use the application’s “Locate Me” feature, and within just a few moments, the five closest dog parks will appear on the screen. You select the park you want, and it gives you directions and a map.

Eukanuba is continuing to update its database every couple of weeks, and they encourage users to send them any parks they may have missed.

If you want to download the new application FOR FREE, click here.