Montgomery Humane Society closes temporarily due to canine flu

The Montgomery Humane Society has announced it will be closed until Saturday due to a canine flu outbreak.

It says it has more than 40 dogs with symptoms.

Dogs in its Adoption Center will be isolated and will not be available for adoption for 28 days. Adoptions of exposed dogs will need to be halted for a period of four weeks.

Officials say they will take the next few days to navigate their space and isolate any exposed animals. They will also be disinfecting other areas so they can safely house new emergent intakes.

Cat adoptions will resume this Saturday as normal.

The canine influenza virus mainly spreads from infected dogs to other dogs through respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing, barking or nuzzling) and through contaminated surfaces and clothing. It is not known to be transmissible to people. However, people can spread the virus to other dogs via their clothing, equipment or hands.

The symptoms of canine influenza are cough, runny nose, eye discharge, fever, lethargy and poor appetite. The signs range in severity between no signs at all and severe illness resulting in death.

Most dogs recover within two to three weeks, but some will develop secondary bacterial infections that can lead to more severe illness.

The Montgomery Humane Society says it is still accepting animals during the temporary closure, such as sick or injured animals and those posing a threat to public safety.

If you find a lost pet, you are asked not to bring the animal to the shelter for the safety of those animals. Tips on locating the owner of lost pets can be found at www.montgomeryhumane.com

The shelter says the canine influenza vaccine is not typically required and is not considered a core vaccine for all dogs. However, with cases occurring in the Montgomery area, you should speak with your veterinarian about having your dog vaccinated.

Additional precautions to take to keep your dog safe:

• Limit direct contact with other dogs when on walks. Do not allow them to sniff one another.
• Avoid using shared toys or dishes.
• Get advice from your personal veterinarians, daycares and boarding facilities.