I don’t know if any of you have seen this yet but it is DEFINITELY worth a read!
New virus confirmed in Ohio dog may be infecting, killing other dogs in state
By Brie Zeltner, The Plain Dealer
on September 06, 2013 at 4:00 PM, updated September 07, 2013 at 7:47 AM
Ohio officials have confirmed a case of circovirus in a dog in the Akron area, and are testing more samples taken from other dogs who have fallen ill and may have had the virus. Eight dogs have shown similar, severe symptoms over the past few weeks and four have died. (The Plain Dealer )
CLEVELAND, Ohio — A mysterious virus may be sickening and killing dogs in Ohio, and could be the first sign of a new illness not seen before in pets. Dogs in the Akron-Canton and Cincinnati areas have fallen ill with similar symptoms over the past three weeks, and half have died, state officials said.
Today, The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) received the first confirmation of a case of the virus, called circovirus, in one of these dogs, said spokeswoman Erica Hawkins. More testing of samples from the other seven dogs who have fallen ill in the state is ongoing, she said, and it’s too soon to know if they all had the same disease.
Of the eight dogs who have had the severe illness over the past few weeks, four have died. Symptoms included vasculitis (which is a destruction of the body’s blood vessels), severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fluid buildup around the lungs, as well as rapid heart rate and weakness. Four cases were first reported in the Cincinnati area, followed by four in Canal Fulton, near Canton.
No new cases have come up since, though there have been many calls from concerned pet owners, Hawkins said.
State pathologists have sent samples taken from the ill and dead dogs to a lab at the University of California-Davis to test them for circovirus. A one-year-old beagle with circovirus died in California in the spring, and the school’s lab has the equipment to test for the virus, which had not previously been diagnosed in dogs but is common in pigs.
A study detailing the California case was released in April in the Centers for Disease Control’s online journal “Emerging Infectious Diseases.”
Dr. Melanie Butera, a veterinarian at Elm Ridge Animal Hospital in Canal Fulton, treated all four of the Akron-area dogs, who were extremely ill with very similar symptoms, she said. The two worst cases came in collapsed and weak, with high heart rates and fluid around their lungs. One of the dogs died. All were around 3 or 4 years old, and none of the owners knew each other or spent time together.
“The dogs were so profoundly sick, over such a short period of time,” she said, which is what set off alarm bells for her. One of the dogs, who survived the illness, was leaking fluid from his gums.
“It was the strangest thing I’ve ever seen, and I did emergency work for 20 years, so I’ve seen a lot of stuff.”
Butera has not seen any more cases since sending samples from the affected dogs to the state, but she’s heard from a colleague in the Akron area who may have treated another dog with similar symptoms and also sent samples to the state for testing.
Since posting information about the cases she’s seen on her Facebook page, Butera said “we’re getting all sorts of calls — everyone who ever had a dog who has ever vomited or had diarrhea.”
The statewide concern began around Aug. 16, when ODA urged owners to closely watch their pets after several dog deaths were reported in Norwood, which is in Hamilton County north of Cincinnati. Four dogs there were sickened with similar symptoms, and three died.
All of the dogs had spent time at the same boarding facility, but subsequent testing of the food, water and surfaces in the facility showed no signs of anything that could have triggered the illnesses, according to a statement made by the facility’s owner on the company’s Facebook page. The facility shut down temporarily and replaced its flooring and some equipment as a precaution.
Vets in the Cincinnati area who treated the four dogs sent samples to Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine for testing, said public relations director Melissa Weber. Tests for salmonella and other obvious causes of the illnesses came back negative, she said, and the ODA is awaiting further test results.
The department has not received any additional calls from the Cincinnati area since that time, Hawkins said.
Health officials and veterinarians said that dog owners who suspect an illness should get the pet to a veterinarian right away. If it’s after hours or your vet isn’t available, seek out an emergency vet.
“Pay the money, and get your dog in there, because the dog that survived [in Cincinnati] was the one who got into the vet quickly and was administered fluids immediately,” Weber said.
FROM ANOTHER ARTICLE: Dogs cannot “catch” this virus from pigs, He said the best thing that dog-owners can do is to behave as people do in a flu epidemic. Dog parks, especially, should be avoided. As for dog shows, he says that it is up to individuals to determine their own comfort level regarding risk. Clearly, do not allow your dogs to be near the poop of other dogs. It will be incumbent on dog day care providers and boarding kennels to keep their premises very clean. Probably this virus is NOT confined to Ohio. We may just be the first state to recognize that this is it’s own problem. He said they expect to have more information, but it may be a couple of weeks, these tests take time.
The symptoms mimic many other things: parvo, giardia, salmonella. Please remember, if your dog has any of these symptoms–vomiting, bloody diarrhea, foaming at the mouth; get them to a vet immediately. Do not try to ride this out, don’t try to treat it at home.
Karen, I heard that it is confirmed in California as well. Suspected elsewhere. Very scary – symptoms seem to mimic parvovirus. As this is a virus, wonder if Tamiflu would help affected dogs?
That is a great thought Jamie! I wonder if the vets/researcher’s have thought of it?
I just got a product that is new to me for Teeghan. Her fur was thinning a little on her back foot so I had a scraping done and nothing showed up. I was thinking she might have developed an allergy to something outside so I ordered a product called SeaVive which boosts the immune system. Hearing about this mystery virus, I am going to give it to both dogs….just in case! 🙂 Tom and I are also going to start taking it too since the “sick season” will be starting soon!
Here is the info in case anyone is interested:
*SeaVive® is uniquely formulated to address total immune health by combining Seacure®, Colostrum 80/40®, and Beta glucan. Seacure® supports healthy immune function at the gut level by providing bioactive peptides and biogenic amines from hydrolyzed white fish that promote structural integrity and function of the intestinal mucosa. Colostrum 80/40 is specially prepared to remove the fat, casein, and lactose and provides a minimum of 40% IgG. Potent beta glucan stimulates macrophage activity and mediates immune response.
*SeaVive provides essential immunoglobulins and other powerful immune factors to kill, block and inhibit the daily threat from viruses and harmful bacteria, particularly in the digestive tract and lungs. It also increases the number of circulating white blood cells and elevates antibody levels to help you fight infection more effectively.
http://www.coventrynaturals.com/products.html
More info on this page: http://www.coventrynaturals.com/seavive.html
Karen, let me know what you think of that supplement. I have been giving Pieka CellFood to help boost her overall health and immune system – I do think she’s a little brighter and we haven’t had any “bugs” for awhile. I also keep colustrum and olive leaf on hand for serious issues.
I surly will Jamie!
Give that little girl a hug for me! 🙂
Thanks for posting this Karen. I’ve heard about it on the news also.
I live in NW Ohio, and our area has alot of ticks. Normally just regular old dog ticks. Except now. I have Lyme Disease. Don’t even know when the little sucker got me. I figure it was from one of the pine trees in my back yard. I’ve had the rash for about 6 months (and still have it). I have about a week left of antibiotics and I pray that there are no residual effects. And…I’m glad it was me and not DuKe or BJ.
Terri
I am praying for a full recovery for you Terri. xo
Julie,
Thanks. Not sure what my Doc is going to do when I go back. ??
Guess I’ll have to wait and see. I’m still having some odd symptoms,
but, I figure I’m safe since I don’t drive heavy equipment, do brain surgery, or run with scissors! 😛
xoxoxo Terri and DuKe, the handsome one in case you forget, he says
Hi Teri!
You are most welcome!
I am so sorry to hear about your illness! I don’t know if you have ever considered Homeopathy to go along with your conventional treatment, but Homeopathy works with the body to heal the condition itself by accelerating the immune system response “using well selected remedies for each symptom”. I was sick many years ago and in bed for about 2 years, and had been to numerous doctors. My friend pushed me to see a Homeopath but it sounded weird to me at the time. Finally, when I was literally at my wits end, I went. He not only cured me once but a second time a year later so it wasn’t a fluke! I was then a believer and started to learn as much as I could about homeopathy which also lead me into finding out what was REALLY in dog food! LOL 😉
Years later when we got our first GSD and at 2 years old was dying slowly in front of our eyes, conventional medicine gave up on her and I was having NONE of that! So I thought why not try homeopathy? It was a long road, but homeopathy along with other modalities saved our girl and she lived until 12 year old!
Here is an article about Lymes that you may find very interesting.
My prayers are with you for a full recovery!
Karen 🙂
Dr. Cindee Gardner: “When using Homeopathic remedies in conjunction with corresponding herb combinations, it can greatly accelerate the immune response of a person infected with Lyme’s disease. I wish I could say that using Homeopathy alone would be an effective treatment, but I have found it to be an excellent treatment to use along with medicinal herbs (rotated regularly to stop Lyme adaptation), supportive vitamins, other health enhancing products as well as adjunct therapies. Using them all together properly can result in a true cure: a complete restoration of health!” http://www.cindeegardner.com/articles/9545617127/treating-lyme-disease-naturally
Karen,
That was an informative article, thanks.
You know, if I wouldn’t have the rash of Lymes, I was sure there was something really wrong with my brain. SHhhhh, be nice now (Carole).
My Dad told me he was worried that I had Alzheimers. I had a few falls, I would run into things, brain fog, plus awful pain.
I had not thought of homeopathy for this, but I’m not against it by any means.
Thank you again
DuKes Ma, Terri
Terri, stop playing around with those nasty bugs!
I too am keeping you in my prayers.
Carole,
You should have seen the look on my Docs’ face when I told him I’ve found ticks in my bed! Ticks have never bothered me before, BUT I’ve never gotten Lymes’ Disease before either. Now, when I see one, I’ll be on it just like it was a spider!! grrrrrr
The power of prayer is awesome!
Thank you,
Terri aka DuKe’s Ma xoxox
For Lyme disease, look into Ledum as a natural treatment. Most New England folks keep it around. Very highly regarded natural treatment.
Jaime,
Thanks for the info. I’ve never heard of Ledum. I will be sure to look into it.
I’m for anything that may help. I have the feeling I’m going to have some left-over issues from this bite. 🙁
Terri, Ma to daDuKe-Meister
Hey Jamie & others who might be interested in this,
I told you I would get back to you on the SeaVive that I started for Teeghan because of a hair thinning spot on her foot, a small amount of eye booger’s, an light itching that she’s had since we were on vacation in July. Apparently she has become a little sensitive to something out side, which I’ve never seen with her before (she’s 7). I also started giving it to Doogan to boost his immune system after hearing about this virus in Ohio.
WELLLLLLLL……I’m a BELIEVER!!!!! 🙂 Eye booger’s gone, hair thicken up on her foot and no itching just after 2/3 weeks!
Tom and I are also taking it with the approaching “CRUD SEASON” in the Midwest!
The reviews I’ve been reading are VERY impressive! I’ve included some I found below.
From what I’ve been reading, it could help the dogs who hat ITCHING issues! If anyone tries it for this, PLEASE let me know so that I can recommend for other dogs with this problem.
Hope this helps someone! 😉
SEAVIVE REVIEWS by others:
*Because of autoimmune conditions, I have had to deal with being vulnerable to colds, flu and other upper respiratory infections for a good many years. It wasn’t until I began taking SeaVive that this changed dramatically. I’d tried a rainbow of other supplements and remedies, but this was the one that really worked. Now it’s rare that I get sick (I take it daily as a preventive and have for several years). My husband enjoys excellent health, but if he starts to feel a cold or flu coming on, he takes SeaVive (am & pm) for a few days and 9 times out of 10 avoids getting sick altogether. A great and effective product. Can’t recommend it highly enough!
*Sixty percent of immune function begins in the intestinal lining. SeaVive contains nutrients that support intestinal as well as immune system health. I swear by it.
*I use this product, in combination with Natural Factors RxOmega-3, for my dog who is allergic to ragweed. I find this helps with her itching, but you have to start giving it at least 6 weeks before ragweed season starts.
*It is one of the most effective supplements i used in fighting leaky gut syndrome.
*I have been taking SeaVive for 4 months and I have noticed a complete difference in my resilience to common colds. I am able to bounce back a lot better now that I am taking SeaVive. I also noticed that when I am without it for a week I start feeling worn down again. It makes such a difference.
*I bought this after seeing how much the SeaVive helped my geriatric dogs. I tried this for myself. My digestive system seems to be happier. There has also been an annoying itchy patch on the back of my scalp for over 5 years. I’ve tried all sorts of vitamins, creams, shampoos with no luck. Since taking SeaVive, it is almost totally cleared up. I also just feel healthier and more energized.