 ince
its appearance in Florida in January, 2004, the
highly contagious, viral respiratory infection known
as Canine H3N8 has spread throughout the U.S.
Some researchers believe the current strand
jumped species (which is highly unusual),
originating as a strain in horses. Canine H3N8 is so
virulent, nearly every dog who comes in contact with
the virus will contract the illness. And with one
out of every five dogs exhibiting no visible
symptoms of the illness, you can never be certain if
you’ve encountered the virus.
There is a
Canine H3N8 diagnostic kit, developed for
veterinarians by Cyntegra of San Diego, which can
provide results within 24 hours at a cost of around
$100, but its availability is not widely known.
The most common symptoms of canine influenza
include:
-
Soft, moist cough
-
Thick nasal discharge
-
High fever (104° - 106°)
-
Shallow, quick breathing
At
present, there is no vaccine on the market today to
protect against canine influenza. The most severe
cases can lead to pneumonia, with fatality estimates
between 5% and 8% of cases. However, the majority of
dogs will recover completely within 30 days.
Your best option is preventative – avoid
situations where your dog may encounter many unknown
dogs. And if you come in contact with a dog you
believe may have the flu, be sure to wash your hands
thoroughly (and possibly change your clothes) before
interacting with your dog. Be sure to feed your dog
a healthy diet. Look for the latest information by
monitoring local advisories for incidences of canine
flu in your area or ask your vet.
If you
suspect that your dog may have contracted the canine
flu, contact your veterinarian immediately for
treatment options.
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 he
reason why cats purr has been the subject of great
debate among feline experts. At present, there is
still no consensus regarding whether the behavior of
purring is voluntary or involuntary.
Purring is generally understood to result from the
vibration of vocal cords that is amplified by air
pushed in and out by contractions of the diaphragm.
Both domestic and wild cats (including big cats that
do not roar) are known to purr. Kittens are capable
of producing purrs within a day after they are born,
often purring while suckling.
Purrs are one element of the murmur vocalization
group, sounds that can be produced while the mouth
is shut. Purrs are believed to communicate pleasure
and contentment, but cats will also purr when they
are frightened or ill, and some will even purr while
delivering kittens. Some experts believe that during
these latter, stressful situations, the purring may
be an attempt to reduce stress. When cats purr in
the presence of other unknown cats or kittens,
purring may serve to convey submissiveness or a
friendly intent.
Although we may never know exactly why cats purr,
perhaps we can all agree that purring is a most
pleasant sound, and that our cats must feel some
contentment while making those light lulling
rumbles.
Porky Puffs Gourmet Pork Chews for
Dogs
Dogs can’t resist the rich aroma of our delicious,
hickory-smoked pig snouts. Packed with high-quality
protein, Porky Puffs chewable treats are non-greasy
and contain no chemical preservatives or artificial
flavors. And with no artificial colors, you won’t
have to worry about hard-to-remove stains in your
carpet!
Porky Puffs are
easily digestible and therefore a safe alternative
to rawhide. And Porky Puffs are appropriate
for dogs of all ages.
This Thanksgiving, give your sweet pup something to
be truly thankful for – yummy Porky Puffs!
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