Canine Flu Outbreak: 25 Dead, 297 Show Symptoms Amid Vaccine Shortage
The canine flu outbreak is not showing signs of stopping any time soon, but the vaccine to counter the disease is already in short supply.
In Ohio, Cincinnati Animal CARE sounded the alarm after detecting a deadly virus spreading. As of Friday, 25 dogs have been "humanely euthanized" due to advancing symptoms of the canine distemper virus.
Canine distemper is just one of the pathogens known to cause respiratory diseases in dogs, alongside canine influenza, canine adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, and many more, according to Michigan State University.
"This is a matter of life and death," Meaghan Colville, the director of Lifesaving Operations, told FOX19 Now. "Without help from the public, we will lose healthy dogs."
The shelter has already restricted intake and adoptions but continues to face challenges as the disease runs rampant in its facility.
In Oklahoma City, the OKC Animal Welfare confirmed that at least 297 dogs in its facility showed symptoms of an upper respiratory infection.
"Due to the testing and the availability of it, we can't test every dog. So, we are treating every dog that shows symptoms as though they're positive," shelter superintendent Jon Gary told FOX 25.
"That does not mean they have it. It doesn't mean they tested positive. There is a much minor upper respiratory infection that we see commonly in shelters that they can have," he added.
According to Gary, several dogs have started to feel better since receiving antibiotics for their symptoms.
Meanwhile, Lucas White, an associate veterinarian at Sunset Veterinary Clinic in Edmond, Oklahoma, admitted to KFOR-TV that the vaccine for canine flu is in short supply. At the clinic, they only have a few doses left, enough to last until May.
In February, CBS News learned from sources that dog vaccines have been in short supply since last year due to manufacturing supply chain issues.
At the time, experts warned dog owners to take extra care of their pets to protect them from the canine flu amid the outbreak.
The most common signs and symptoms of canine flu include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, diarrhea and vomiting.
