21 April 2013 (13:59 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Jumada t-Tania 1434/01 Ordibehest 1391/12 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

“There are many diseases or viruses or bacteria that might be involved, so we’re trying to pinpoint what exactly is causing the disease.”-Cathlin Craber, veterinarian

When H7N9 was first reported out of China, the only known symptom was unexplained pneumonia.  Now in Denver, Colorado U.S.A., veterinarians are racing to find out why dozens of dogs have developed unexplained pneumonia, five have died!

Just a couple of days ago Time published an article talking about the possibility of other animals carrying the new deadly ‘bird flu’.  This was being driven by the fact that at least 40% of infected humans had no contact with birds.

The Denver dog pneumonia outbreak is happening in a Humane Society Animal Shelter, which has been closed for the next 30 days.  Vets are concerned it was brought in from the surrounding community: “We’re still gathering information trying to figure that out. There’s a chance that it’s in our community somewhere and when an animal comes into our shelter it can get into our population.”-Cathlin Craber, veterinarian

There are 260 dogs in the shelter, which has been in operation since 1910.  It’s estimated that at least 25% of the dogs are sick.