I posted a short article on this a while back, but from the comments left there seemed to be some confusion.

There does not appear to be any risk of dogs getting the H1N1 Swine Flu, dog owners can relax.

Here are the details from the NY Daily News.

“We have not seen any evidence that pets are susceptible,” says David Kirkpatrick, spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association. “The virus appears to be only transmitted from person to person or from human to swine. Though we have not seen viruses in potbellied or other pet pigs, it is important to remember that they are considered swine, so they may be susceptible to the virus.”

Dogs and cats are apparently not at risk. “At this time, there is no data demonstrating any risk of dogs and cats contracting this strain of the virus,” Dr. Louise Murray, director of medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in Manhattan, told the Chronicle. “However, owners of pet pigs should monitor their animals’ health carefully.”

Of course things can always change, but the data at this point does not support dogs or cats being susceptible.

*One of these things is not like the other.

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The swine flu is on everyone’s mind these days. On the news you hear daily reports about the concern there will be a big outbreak this fall.

If you’ve been wondering if there is anything to worry about when it comes to your pets Bobbi Leder from the Houston Dogs Examiner checked with the American Veterinary Medical Association, here’s what she found.

Well, according to the AVMA, there is no evidence that pets are susceptible to the swine flu as it appears to be transmitted only from person to person or from human to swine. So for now, it looks like dogs are safe from the swine flu although the AVMA goes on to say that there is not enough information to determine if the H1N1 virus can be transmitted to other animals; therefore, it is advisable to wash your hands after handling animals. The good news is that there have been no reported cases (in 2009) of the swine flu being contracted by eating pork. It is believed that the H1N1 virus is not a food-borne disease.

Hopefully this gives some peace of mind to all the dog owners out there.  While we still need to be careful, at least our dogs are safe.

* Shilo Ann checking out the pig pen, no worries.

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