Source: Susan Nelson, assistant professor, College of Veterinary Medicine at K-State
RADIO
REPORT: 1 Wrap
1 Actuality
You have selected a report about canine influenza and its treatment. The wrap and sound bite follow in 3,2,1.
WRAP 1: DOG OWNERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF CANINE FLU – AN AIRBORNE DISEASE BELIEVED TO BE RELATED OT THE EQUINE FLU
TIME: 56 Seconds
SUGGESTED INTRO: ALL DOG OWNERS – ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO REGULARLY BOARD THEIR ANIMAL IN A KENNEL -- SHOULD BE AWARE OF CANINE INFLUENZA. THIS CONTAGIOUS AIRBORNE VIRUS IS THOUGHT TO BE A MUTATION OF THE EQUINE INFLUENZA. AN EXPERT AT K-STATE’S COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE EXPLAINS MORE ABOUT THE VIRUS AND WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU SEE THE SYMPTOMS IN YOUR PET. LANICE THOMSON REPORTS.
FIRST RECOGNIZED AT GREYHOUND TRACKS IN FLORIDA IN 2004, CANINE INFLUENZA HAS NOW SPREAD TO ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES. DR. SUSAN NELSON, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AT K-STATE SAYS CANINE FLU COMES IN TWO FORMS -- A MILD ONE THAT MIMICS KENNEL COUGH, AND ANOTHER FORM THAT’S MORE SEVERE.
(Nelson :13 "The mild form -- the runny nose, the little bit of cough. The severe form - they’re going to get ill very quickly, literally in hours, where they star running a very high fever up to even 106. Coughing -- a lot of times coughing up blood."
NELSON ADDS DOGS WITH A MILD CASE MAY ONLY NEED A COUGH SUPPRESSANT, WHILE THOSE SEVERELY AFFECTED ARE USUALLY HOSPITALIZED WHERE THEY RECEIVE INTRAVENOUS FLUIDS AND ANTIBIOTICS. NELSON NOTES ORDINARY HOUSEHOLD DOGS ARE AT LESS RISK THAN THOSE HOUSED IN SHELTERS AND KENNELS. LANICE THOMSON, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY.