I just read a article at http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/dogflu.asp

Which has me concerned about taking my dogs to the Sch Club for training. normaly the dogs are crated/kenneled unless they are actualy involved in training. Then it dawned on me that our pups are using the same bite sleeve/suit and tugs that the helper used at other clubs. Is there a hygiene protocol out there or should I wait until they got this thing under control?

Oh... great.. figures it has to start in Florida, it couldnt start in California or Alaska or somewhere really far away... it had to be Florida... now im gonna be all kindsa paranoid. I'll be the crazy guy screaming at the poor old lady with the greyhound *KEEP YOUR SICK DEMON DOG AWAY FROM MY BOY!!".

How serious is this threat does anyone know?

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Show populations are now infected and the majority of veterinarians have never heard of the disease. Isolated individuals know this but the country as a whole does not. A few days after exposure at dog shows, dogs are traveling back to their home states and infecting the local populations. Many dogs are dying needlessly. It is not kennel cough.

serious enough

Thanks.

We all are hearing about it slowly by slowly. I and someone else had posted the similar article on the web earlier.

This is a great addition to the first article. I guess the best way to prevent is not to take your pets in and around any dog parks or let them play with other dogs for the time being.

Let's hope they find a cure soon.

Rashmi

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Is there a hygiene protocol out there or should I wait until they got this thing under control?

I don't know if it is, but would it be safe to spray some Lysol or some other anti-microbial substance on the sleeve? Would it even make a difference?

I suspect it could make a great difference if you sprayed the sleeve with something like that. I understand the concern, but that could really mess up some dogs. JMHO! Hang the sleeve in the sun if possable.

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....would it be safe to spray some Lysol or some other anti-microbial substance on the sleeve? Would it even make a difference?

According to many antibiotics experts, the cleaners are as overused and ultimately as dangerous as the overuse of the meds (resulting in a clear field for the "killer" bacteria which then become resistant and aggressive, as the milder and not-dangerous strains are wiped out by the cleansers and the medicines).

One site about that:
http://www.consumerreports.org/main/crh/...older_id=446613

But this 'flu is apparently (see below) a virus, as opposed to a bacteria.

The 'flu: I've been reading that most dogs do recover, even though it's virulent, and the CDC has not yet found a human crossover capability.
http://news.bostonherald.com/national/view.bg?articleid=104354

I read somewhere else (sorry -- forgot where) that high fevers were common and the hydration was very important.

Some web sites are saying it came from a horse 'flu, but the link above says that the CDC maintains it has nothing to do with equine 'flu, and also that it's important to note that it often starts as a cough but is NOT kennel cough.

This site has the most detail I've seen so far, including this summary:

QUOTE: In the meantime, Nina Morano of the CDC said owners should take common sense precautions to protect their pooches from the virus:

• If your dog exhibits any signs of respiratory illness, immediately see your veterinarian. Tell the doctor if your dog recently boarded at a kennel.

• Use a boarding kennel you are familiar with.

• Stay on the lookout for announcements of disease outbreaks in your area.

"It's a time to be very watchful and take a reasonable approach, but certainly not to panic," Morano said. END

from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/09/0927_050927_dog_flu.html

Indeed, Connie, I know that antibacterial stuff is overused and causing the bacteria to get even worse by developing resistant strains (and I hate the antibacterial hype) but I referred to antimicrobial, substances that supposedly kill EVERYTHING, be it virus or bacteria. I do know that many institutions use some sort of sterilizing cleaner (hospitals and such) so perhaps this would be good for a schutzhund sleeve? Or maybe just drying it out in the sun, making sure it's THOROUGHLY dried? I think that would depend on the longevity of the virus when exposed to air. Some can hang in there for a long time.

I don't know if such a cleaner would damage the sleeve or even make the sleeve taste bad enough to turn off dogs to it (I know I wouldn't want to bite into something that tastes like the cleaning aisle).

Here's hoping that the outbreak doesn't turn out to be a serious epidemic..