Dog Contracts Swine Flu

A 13-year-old mutt in suburban New York is the first dog in the country to be infected by the same strain of swine flu that infects humans. An American Veterinary Medical Association spokesman said there’s no evidence that H1N1 can be transmitted from pet to human. "In theory it could happen, but so far it's really looking like a dead end in pets," he said. And a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokesperson said that though animals can carry flu viruses, such cases are rare and people should not be scared of their pets. The dog was having breathing problems and was taken to the vet, who tested for swine flu since he knew the owner had the bug. The dog had a checkup Tuesday and is “getting back to his old self.”