Is My Dog at Risk of Swine Flu?

With all the bad news on the economy, now flu even after the flu season - here's some relatively Good News!

It's unlikely your dog will get the Swine Flu.  

"Currently there's no data demonstrating any risk of dogs and cats contracting this strain of the virus," says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Hospital in New York City.

Other than swine, only humans have been affected by the new virus.   

"However, owners of pet pigs, as well as farmers, should monitor their animals' health more closely and take steps to limit transmission from humans to pigs and vice versa," Murray adds. 

If you have a pet pig, then, talk with your veterinarian about a Type A influenza vaccine, which is available and recommended for all healthy swine.

Dr. Miranda Spindel, Director of ASPCA Veterinary Outreach, adds: "Swine influenza or swine flu is one of the leading causes of respiratory disease in swine throughout the world. Like most influenza A viruses, swine flu generally causes high levels of illness in pigs, but fatalities are uncommon."  

For the latest information about the outbreak, visit the Center for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu).