My Pet World: Artificial sweetener can be toxic for dogs
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Q: Can cats get the dog flu? -- N.B., via cyberspace
A: The form of dog flu originally identified in Florida in 2004 has caused periodic outbreaks across the country for years. This strain, which mutated from an equine influenza virus, is known as H3N8. Cats cannot get sick from H3N8, nor can people.
This spring, a new dog flu strain caused an epidemic in the Chicago area, sickening thousands of dogs and causing at least eight deaths. This strain, known as H3N2, is the same as a strain of dog flu seen in Asia. No one knows how it arrived in the U.S.
According to Asian veterinarians, this bug can also make cats sick. However, people aren't affected.
"So far, there isn't a single verified (case of a) cat who's come down with the dog flu in this country," says Dr. Jill Lopez, senior Specialist Drug Safety at Merck Animal Health.
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Q: Fleas suck! I've tried everything. How about using Diatomaceous earth as a natural way to solve the flea problem? -- D.C., Tampa, FL
A: Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica. Over a long period of time, diatoms accumulated in the sediment of rivers, streams, lakes and oceans. Silica deposits are mined from these areas, yielding Diatomaceous earth.
Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Michael Dryden, distinguished professor, Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, says Diatomaceous earth can be effective in damaging flea larvae, but does not impact flea eggs or seem to kill adult fleas.
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