NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) – “Sick as a dog” is an expression we hear all too often. But now, our pups are giving it a new meaning.
Two highly contagious strains of canine influenza are making their way around the United States. The H3N2 strain has landed in Brooklyn. So far, at least 14 dogs have tested positive.
“There were a lot of cases this year, close to 500 in California and Nevada already, so it was just a matter of time before it got here,” said Dr. Yasmine Mortsakis, who runs New York Veterinary Practice. She said this outbreak isn’t going anywhere because the strains are fairly new.
“So there’s no natural immunity,” Mortsakis said.
The flu is airborne. As the weather warms up and dogs get outdoors more to play, the concern is only heightened.
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