Canine Flu at Tinley Park Animal Shelter: 'Almost Entire Shelter' is Sick Now, Says Staff

The canine flu that has sickened nearly 1,300 dogs from the Chicago area to Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio has been confirmed at P.A.W.S. animal shelter in Tinley Park. Nearly all of the animals at the facility are affected, staff wrote on the shelter’s Facebook page.

“Almost our entire shelter is getting sick now, but thank you for the nebulizers, food, bleach and money that has been donated to get us through this,” staff wrote. “Our volunteers are hard at work to keep our animals as comfortable as possible.”

The shelter is currently closed to adoptions and animal intake while dogs at the shelter are being treated. The staff is asking for chicken soup for the cats and dogs, as most find it appealing as a means of administering medication.

“When the flu first broke out we took the initiative to vaccinate ALL of our dogs, but this possible flu strain is proving to be stronger than imagined,” shelter staff wrote in a Facebook post.

Known as Influenza A H3N2, this virus is usually found in South Korea, China and other Asian nations. More than six dogs are known to have died in the Chicago area from the infection. Cats can also catch this strain of flu. While highly infectious, people cannot contract this flu from their pets. Symptoms include high fever, loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharge and lethargy.

The shelter is in need of bleach and laundry detergent, along with liver sausage, which is used in feeding the dogs their medication. Staff also need nebulizers, used to treat the dogs with difficulty breathing. Donations can be dropped at the shelter lobby, 8301 191st St. in Tinley Park. Anyone wishing to make monetary donations can do so through their website.

“We are being proactive to protect our animals and the community,” staff said. “We have a long way to go and any monetary donations to help with our medical bills would be greatly appreciated.

“Keep the prayers going for our babies as well!”

Also Read:

• Canine Flu Confirmed at South Suburban Humane Society
• Asian Strain of Flu Never Before Seen in the U.S. Sickens 1,300 Dogs
• Dogs at South Suburban Humane Society Fall Ill with Canine Flu-Like Symptoms