216-749-7161

Canine Influenza

In early 2004, greyhounds at Florida racetracks began getting sick with an unusual illness, which testing later revealed to be a new form of influenza normally found in horses. This new canine influenza quickly spread out of the racetrack and shelter settings of Florida to infect nearly 100 percent of dogs exposed to it in several states across the country. While it mostly causes mild symptoms, if any, it can cause severe illness … even death. Dr. Cynda Crawford, a veterinary immunologist at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, and part of the group that originally identified the virus, discusses canine influenza.