01/29/2025
Public Service Announcement:
Avian Flu in Dogs: An Emerging Concern
Understanding the Threat and Protecting Our Canine Companions
Tonight, we received a message from a client/family who bought a pup from us in August 2020.
His message read:
I wanted to share some unfortunate news about our boy who passed away to young last weekend (1/19/2025). He was perfectly healthy and just 4 years and 5 months old. All the tests that were run came back normal, yet within a few days he was gone. He said I suspect bird flu but will never really know.
After I recovered from this devastating news I asked a few questions. His answers were, yes, we duck hunt in our area (MD), but he was carrying around a dead blackbird the other day and I did not think much of it. But recently there has been a big outbreak of bird flu in goose populations (as there are here in Pennsylvania). He stated there are lots of dead birds being found near them. His pup was at the ER all last weekend when they were away on vacation. The Vet tested him for everything and never found any issues. The Pup kept deteriorating and went into cardiac arrest. He indicated that when he read up on the symptoms of bird flu in dogs, a lot of what they were told the pup was experiencing was matching up. He indicated the Vet shrugged off the bird flu idea when he suggested it to her, and said there are not any confirmed cases in canines locally to them.
The Vet thought tick borne disease, but the 7-day test just came back, and it was negative. The Vet wanted to send the pup to an internal organ specialist but by the time they got back to her to discuss, the dog was in cardiac arrest and died while they gave CPR to him as the family was on hold on the phone. The Vet said they ran every test they had available, and nothing came up as āremarkable.ā
The symptoms of avian flu in dogs can vary, but common signs include:
Fever, Lethargy, Low appetite, Reddened or inflamed eyes, Discharge from the eyes and nose, Difficulty breathing, Neurologic signs, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness.
He indicated the dog was lethargic, had reddened, droopy, inflamed eyes, and had some of the neurological signs on the second dayā¦stumbling, seemed to not be able to see well, not walking straight.
Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a viral infection that causes disease in domestic poultry and a wide range of other birds, with some viral strains sporadically causing illness in wild and domestic mammals, including dogs and humans. As an emerging concern in the veterinary world, it is crucial for pet owners to understand the implications of avian flu in dogs, the symptoms, and measures to protect their beloved pets.
Avian influenza spreads among birds or from birds to mammals through close contact with an infected bird or with aerosolized particles (such as respiratory tract secretions or dried f***l material) from an infected bird in places like open air markets, where birds are slaughtered. In other cases, contact can be less direct. For example, humans traveling between commercial or backyard farms can transmit the virus on their skin or clothes. In some instances, infected wild birds flying overhead spread the virus to susceptible backyard flocks on the ground below by defecating as they fly, dropping infected f***l material on or near these flocks, or landing and intermixing with the poultry.
Avian influenza is most often transmitted to dogs when the pet eats an infected carcass, such as a dead wild bird. There also have been cases of dogs being fed infected raw chicken, turkey, or duck or commercial pet foods containing infected raw meat. Consequently, pet owners are advised not to feed products containing raw meats of any kind to their animals.
Avian flu in dogs is an emerging health concern that requires awareness and proactive measures from pet owners. By understanding the transmission routes, symptoms, and preventive strategies, we can better protect our canine companions from this potentially serious infection. Regular veterinary check-ups and prompt medical attention at the first sign of illness are essential components of safeguarding our pets' health.
In summary, while the risk of avian flu in dogs remains relatively low, vigilance and informed care can go a long way in ensuring the well-being of our furry friends. Please supervise your dogās when they are outdoors and keep them away from birds, wildlife, and livestock. Do not feed foods containing raw protein sources, such as poultry or unpasteurized dairy products. You can refer to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website which has outlined steps that dog owners can take to reduce the risk of bird flu in their dogs.
I asked the family if I could make this post to spread awareness about the potential of the bird flu and dogs and they said of course. If their tragedy/misfortune can make others aware, then hopefully this wonāt have to be someone elseās story too.
D&S Retrievers is located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. We breed black, yellow and chocolate Labrador Retrievers (NO silver or dilutes).
