Cook County in Chicago is advising owners to keep their dogs away from areas where there’s close contact with other dogs.
A rare canine flu outbreak in the Chicago area has killed five dogs and sickened more than 1,000, prompting the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control to issue an advisory to dog owners. The Chicago Park District posted signs warning pet owners to keep their dogs away from areas where there’s close contact with other dogs. “We’ve seen a significant increase in respiratory cases over the past month,” said Dr. Anne Cohen, an emergency and critical care specialty veterinarian at Chicago Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center. Canine flu symptoms are similar to human flu symptoms and include fever, cough, nasal discharge and lack of energy. The illness is somewhat rare in dogs but very contagious when it does hit.