12/24/2025
🚨 Important Pet Safety Alert: Bird Flu (H5N1) Detected in a Dog in Alberta 🚨
The Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian and the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine have confirmed a recent case of bird flu (H5N1) in a pet dog in Alberta.
The dog became seriously ill after eating a sick wild snow goose. The illness worsened quickly and included fever, eye discharge, coughing, trouble breathing, collapse, and neurological signs. Despite intensive veterinary care, the dog sadly passed away. Testing confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1).
This is the second confirmed case in a dog in Canada. Cases have also been found in cats and wild mammals, and the virus continues to circulate in wild waterfowl across Canada.
⚠️ Dogs can be exposed to bird flu by:
• Eating dead or sick wild birds
• Playing with or carrying wild birds
• Eating raw food that contains poultry
• Contact with contaminated environments
🛑 How to protect your pets
• Do not allow dogs to eat or play with wild birds
• Keep dogs leashed around waterfowl
• Avoid feeding raw poultry diets
• Contact your veterinarian right away if your pet develops breathing problems, neurological signs, fever, or sudden severe illness, especially after wildlife exposure
Bird flu is a reportable disease, and early veterinary care helps protect pets, wildlife, and people.
Please share to help keep pets safe 🐾
