Dog Flu?

A rather virulent strain of dog flu has hit Colorado -- and since one of the beasties is coughing, I'm a bit concerned. It's just viral flu, but can become pneumonia pretty easily, and the beasties are getting a bit old.

Snopes notes that the rumors of "deadly dog flu" are true and that seven states have recorded cases. Definitely check out the snopes site for more info.

Dr. Crawford describes the contagion as producing in dogs "a moist, productive cough that ends in a gagging response, that will persist for one to four weeks, despite treatment with antibiotics or cough suppressants. Some dogs develop a thick, yellow discharge from the nose. A very few dogs will spike a high fever, between 105 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit. They become lethargic and weak, with rapid, shallow breathing. This is likely to progress to pneumonia."