Dog Adoptions Now Allowed At St. Paul Humane Society After Flu Scare

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Dog adoptions are back on at the St. Paul location of the Animal Humane Society after a dog was confirmed to have canine flu.

The non-profit reports the threat began when a dog that had just been adopted from its St. Paul facility tested positive for the H3N2 strain.

As of Friday afternoon, five other dogs in the facility shared with the infected dog have tested negative for the H3N2 strain.

Around 30 dogs at the Golden Valley location are under quarantine after showing symptoms of kennel cough which can mirror dog flu.

"The most common symptoms are a deep-chested cough, nasal discharge and a fever," veterinarian Dr. Graham Brayshaw said.

The Animal Humane Society said it is likely the threat began inside the St. Paul facility because it takes 2-5 days for symptoms to show up once a dog gets the virus.

The dog that was impacted, named Toga, spent 12 days in the shelter before adoption.

Animal Humane Society President Janelle Dixon said there's no reason to believe many more dogs were impacted because although the virus is airborne, there isn't much nose-to-nose contact between animals at the shelters.

"We don't have any reason to believe that we have influenza at any other sites but we are under an abundance of caution," Dixon said.

Dogs at each facility with kennel cough have been tested just to be safe. Some will spend a week in quarantine before results will be ready.

There are around 358 dogs in the system, 50 have been tested and the results are pending, according to the lead veterinarian on staff.

The organization also sent letters to anyone who has adopted from any of its adoption centers in the last 30 days.

The Animal Humane Society wants to stress while the virus is airborne, there's no evidence it can harm humans.

They don't want people to stop adopting.

While there is no vaccine for this strain, dogs can easily recover with antibiotics similar to what they'd get for kennel cough. The first dog effected is recovering. You can ask your vet about vaccination for another strain which could provide some cross-protection.

While the organization is investigating how exactly the virus entered the facility in St. Paul, Brayshaw said these dogs are often stray animals so it is possible one could have had dog flu and not displayed any serious symptoms while stull passing it along to others.