A dog died after getting bird flu in Canada. Here's how to keep your pets safe.
A pet dog has died after testing positive for the highly contagious bird flu in Ontario, Canada, health officials said this week.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the dog tested positive for the virus on Saturday after chewing on a wild goose. The dog subsequently developed clinical signs and died.
While further testing is underway, a necropsy showed its respiratory system may have been compromised by the virus, according to Tuesday’s statement.
Canadian health officials say it’s the first case of its kind reported in the country. The American Veterinary Medical Association says only a few cases of bird flu in cats or dogs have been reported worldwide, with none occurring in the United States.
While the U.S. Department of Agriculture hasn't reported any cases among pets, the agency has found cases in other mammals like skunks, raccoons, mountain lions, bears and foxes.
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How to keep your pet safe from bird flu
Canadian and U.S. health officials say pets’ risk of contracting and dying from bird flu appears to be very low – but not zero.
Here’s what you can do to keep your pet safe from bird flu:
►Don't feed pets, including dogs or cats, raw meat from game birds or poultry.
►Keep pets away from dead wild birds found outside.
►Contact a veterinarian if your pet develops symptoms including fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, tremors or seizures, or conjunctivitis.
►Keep cats indoors or dogs on a leash to prevent them from getting to any infected wild birds or their carcasses.
Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT.
Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bird flu kills dog in Canada: Tips to keep your pets safe
