Dog flu spreads quickly in U.S.

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. :A new canine influenza, or dog flu, is spreading steadily through the nation's dogs, and experts say there is no vaccine available to curb the virus that has killed young and otherwise healthy animals."One hundred percent of dogs will be susceptible," said Edward Dubovi, director of the animal virology lab at Cornell University. "I would expect to see this infection moving thorough groups of dogs until a large percentage gets infected and there are a lot of immune dogs."Researchers said the virus that crossed over from horses to dogs is fooling many pet owners and veterinarians because its symptoms a cough, low grade fever and a runny nose mimic a common, less dangerous bacterial infection known as kennel cough.First found in greyhounds at racetracks in 11 states, the dog flu has been found in pets from New Jersey to California, but researchers do not know exactly how many dogs have died from it.As with human influenza, dog flu is most easily contracted in gathering places such as kennels, dog shows, animal shelters, even dog runs in parks. .....