Canine influenza, the potentially deadly H3N8 virus commonly known as dog flu, is spreading.

So far the virus has led to the death of one dog last week, closed down the kennel at Virginia’s Fairfax County Animal Shelter, and, according to experts, is now affecting dogs in at least four other states: Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

While the reason for the shelter outbreak, which killed a 15-year-old whippet owned by a clinical technician and sickened 26 dogs, remains unknown, it’s possible that one or more infected dogs from Philadelphia or D.C. introduced the illness to Virginia.

“Dogs often move in and out of shelter systems over long distances, such as via breed and rescue groups,” Edward Dubovi, director of the virology center at Cornell’s Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, told Discovery News.

“Boarding kennels and even elite doggie day care centers can also result in cases, since, as for kennel cough spread, the virus is highly contagious and dogs may catch it from one another,” added Dubovi.

He first isolated the canine influenza virus in 2004, after University of Florida researchers sent him fluid and tissue samples from greyhound race dogs that had died from a then mysterious respiratory illness at a Florida racetrack.

Dubovi and his team determined the cause was the H3N8 equine flu virus, which jumped from horses to dogs. In addition to spreading from dog to dog, canines can also catch it from humans, who may have come into contact with infected animals.

The illness has not yet sickened any people.

Symptoms in dogs can include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and a respiratory infection that may last a few weeks. One to five percent of victims die from related hemorrhagic pneumonia.

Although 30 states have reported cases over the past five years, Dubovi said outbreaks are “usually sporadic and then die out.”

“For example, we’ve seen outbreaks in San Diego, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh, but those all ended,” he explained.

As officials work to contain the Virginia cases, nearby states and cities are also on guard.

Tara deNicolas, a spokesperson for the Washington Humane Society, told Discovery News, “No cases are currently in our shelter.”

She added, “We’re being very proactive, however, and are ordering tests whenever any possible symptoms surface.”

Source:

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/08/18/dog-canine-virus.html

Ellis has been adopted and is now relaxing with his new family, which includes 4 other fur siblings to play with. Thank you Greg and Charlie for opening you heart and home to him!!!
I will post pics of Ellis with his new family as soon as we get some, Greg and Charlie promised to send some over the weekend.

Ellis leaving the shelter............

Ellis at our veterinarians office for a check up & neuter. "I'm here for WHAT????????"

RICHMOND, Va. – A dog belonging to Robin Starr, the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA, died after being left alone for four hours in the car.

In an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch at the SPCA’s offices, Starr and her husband Ed cried while recounting the story.

Ed said he put the dog, a sixteen year old deaf and blind mutt named Louie, into the vehicle as Robin prepared for work.

Robin arrived at her job without realizing the dog was in the car.

Several hours later when she left to get lunch, Robin saw Louie in the car.

She took the dog inside to the SPCA clinic, then to an emergency veterinary clinic.

The dog died later of kidney failure.

Starr has been CEO of the Richmond SPCA since 1997.

She does not plan to resign.

SOURCE:

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Dog of Richmond SPCA CEO dies after being left in car for 4 hours 

A short little clip showing Monty’s first day at his new home.

What a difference a day makes!!

I want to thank Arin & Ashley for opening their hearts and home to this fellow. The transformation in this dogs demeanor and personality,once he was out of the shelter and in a home environment are truly stunning.Thank you both for giving us one more victory in the day to day battle of rescuing!!!

Meet Mack. Mack is a small ( 11 lb) dog that almost got us both killed on Thursday ( I adore him anyway). I was on my way home from bringing a friend home, when Mack darted out from a Hardees parking lot and into traffic. He crossed 107 narrowly avoiding being hit. I pulled my van over and parked to try to get him. I wasn’t even out of my vehicle when Mack dart across 107 again and entered the Exxon parking lot. Once out of my vehicle, Mack was yet again standing in he middle of 107 with an 18 wheeler coming straight at him ( and now me) he wouldnt come to me so I shooed him to the other side of the road, handed a bystander 10.00 to buy him a Slim Jim at the Exxon to try to coax him to come to me. He allowed me to get within 3 ft of him but not to actually touch him. Frustrated and worried I would not be able to keep him from the hwy I called the cheif ACO ,Bill. He was only 7 miles away. He and Chris placed a bowl of food on the ground with the loop from the catch pole around the bottom of the bowl as mack ate he gentley slipped it over his head. Thankfully Mack was safe but because I had no choice but to involve AC he could not come home with me but rather had to go to the shelter to give his owners a chance to reclaim him. I followed Bill’s truck to the shelter and spent 30 min with the little guy though still frightened from his ordeal he is a happy little guy giving me kisses like he had know me forever.
I have put our name on him to keep him safe. We are looking for a foster/adopter for little Mack in the highly likely event no one comes to reclaim him.

Mack safe after his ordeal

Ps Would someone please explain to me how a lil dog with legs three inches long can run so fast………….it totally defies everything I ever learned in physics class LOL

Please be advised that due to the severe pet over population in the southern states we do not adopt to Ar/Ga/Sc/Mi/La or Fl. We strongly recommend to residents of those statess to frequent their area shelters to adopt as so very many animals are euthanized on a daily basis. Simpley visit www.adoptapet.com click on find a shelter near me, enter your zip code and viola’ it will kick you out a list of shelters/rescues near you.
We will adopt to folks in states other than those listed above,however, fosters must be within a 3 hr drive of us as getting the animal back to show to potential adopters is next to impossible if they are any further away than thatplease keep in mind that already means a 6 hr round trip drive every time

Some of you will remember Theresa, the two and a half month old beagle puppy that was born without her right paw and also without  part of her right leg. This imperfection  caused her owner to bring her to the shelter. We pulled Theresa from the shelter the very same day she was going to be euthanized. She has since been seen by our veterinarian and I am happy to say she was transported to her new adoptive family in Ct on Wendsay,July 22nd.

We would like to share with you a few photos we received from Nancy, her adopter. We also would like to take a moment to thank Nancy and her wonderful family for opening their heart and home to this little girl in need!!!