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Cook County health care professionals warn of rise in canine flu cases

Cook County animal care professionals are asking dog owners to be cautious in light of a recent surge of canine flu cases that has resulted in five fatalities.

The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control has advised that the outbreak of canine infectious respiratory disease could last for several weeks. More than 1,000 cases have been identified, officials said.

Until the flu cases decrease, the department's administrator, Dr. Donna Alexander, recommended that dog owners stay away from areas like dog parks and group dog training activities, as well as restrict their dogs from playing with other dogs. She also advised owners to avoid boarding their pooches, according to a news release.

Alexander said dogs who do not show symptoms can still be contagious.

Dr. Kristin Junkas, chief of staff at Wright Animal Hospital in Des Plaines, said she has heard of an increase in flu from colleagues, especially ones in the city of Chicago.

"We've had a couple of upper respiratory, very mild cases," Junkas said. "We are making sure that everyone is aware of the symptoms and we've been keeping tabs on what's going on."

Junkas said people at the clinic are advising dog owners to limit their pets' exposure.

"It's extremely important for those who are in direct contact with other dogs, so those that are going to grooming, those that are going to pet shows, dog shows, animals that are going to be at dog day cares, groomers, anywhere they are going to be exposed, we're trying to urge pet owners to try to limit that activity for at least the next month," she said.

Junkas said vaccinations are available for kennel cough and for canine influenza.

Some local dog owners, though they had heard about the flu outbreak, said they were not worried.

Schaumburg residents Sarah Santa Maria and Michael Huels took their border collie mix Aspen to the K-9 Dog Park to play Saturday.

"She just went to the vet, she had a wellness check, she's doing pretty well and I think that if we did see any of the signs ... that we'll take her in so I don't worry about it at all," Santa Maria said, adding Aspen recently got vaccinated for flu.

Huels said the park's vaccine requirement for dogs also provides some extra relief.

"It's nice to have a dog park like this that actually requires that because you know that all the animals around your dog are also vaccinated," Huels said.

Pet owners who see their dogs exhibiting symptoms, such as a persistent and lingering cough, lethargy, a bad appetite, or a fever, should take their pooches to a veterinarian.

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