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Dr. Cathy Alinovi

How much chance is there that my dog will get Ebola virus?

There has been a lot of press about Ebola virus lately. And while it is certainly a very scary disease, most of us are well protected from any exposure or infection.

There has been a lot of press about Ebola virus lately. And while it is certainly a very scary disease, most of us are well protected from any exposure or infection. Those at highest risk are people who travel to Africa and provide aid to the poor people suffering from Ebola infection. And we’ve all heard about the one dog found to be infected with Ebola virus. Because the virus is transmitted through blood or bodily fluids this dog had to be in close contact with someone who had the illness himself.

If you or anyone you know plans to travel to Africa and deliver humanitarian aid to the sufferers of Ebola, then you’ll want to avoid contact with animals on your return.

Essentially the same quarantine time for avoiding humans would be how long you should avoid your dog or cat.

The boards of animal health for most states have formed action plans for dealing with potential Ebola infection. If you’re concerned about any potential risk to your pets, contact your veterinarian. Your veterinarian has the information to refer you to the right authorities where you live.

While Ebola virus is less likely to contract than the flu, because both are viruses, doing things to support a healthy immune system will work great to protect your pets, no matter what the illness. Echinacea is a commonly used herb that can strengthen the immune system and can be used in dogs and cats. Herbal blends like Yin Qiao are great antiviral formulas. Ask your holistic veterinarian about proper dosing to protect your four-legged family.

 

Dr. Cathy Alinovi DVM

As a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Cathy treated 80% of what walked in the door — not with expensive prescriptions — but with adequate nutrition. Now retired from private practice, her commitment to pets hasn’t waned and she looks forward to impacting many more pet parents through her books, research, speaking and consulting work.  Learn more at drcathyvet.com

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Carla

    November 21, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    I do not believe there is any scientific evidence that echinacea (or any herbal product) will “strengthen the immune system” in humans, and certainly none for pets. Even if a supplement could “strengthen the immune system,” it is not going to be protection from the Ebola virus. There is no herbal product that is a “great antiviral formula.”

    There is evidence that in the U.S., dietary supplements are frequently adulterated with drugs, toxins and other substances. If they are not effective or safe for humans, why would anyone think they would be effective or safe for dogs or cats? They could in fact do harm to your pets.

    Also, we’ve NOT all “heard about the one dog found to be infected with Ebola virus.” Where did you get this information? I can find nothing anywhere that reports this. For fact-based information about Ebola and other diseases, ProMED-mail is an excellent source. They have information about animal reservoirs of Ebola virus about which anyone writing on this subject should be aware.

    • Jeri

      November 23, 2014 at 11:37 am

      Herbs are not always adulterated; yes, synthetic vitamins are missing their cofactors – among other issues. I don’t dismiss things out of hand just because a scientific study has not been done on it – esp. when it works.

      • Carla

        November 24, 2014 at 10:06 am

        I am not “dismissing [anything] out of hand”; on the contrary, I have done a great deal of study on this subject. I do tend to think the scientific types have better evidence than the non-scientific ones.

        How do you know if something works if there is no objective evidence that it does? Subjective experiences, self-reports, and self-serving “studies” by manufacturers of the products being studied are not good enough evidence for me. It is especially bothersome when people give their pets unproven substances based on other people’s subjective experiences with and possibly biased observations of their pets.

        • Jeri

          November 24, 2014 at 6:12 pm

          I don’t wait for a “study” to tell me raw, unprocessed food (as one example) is superior to processed. Likewise, I know what I have tried and when there’s a choice between nothing or something with a long list of side effects versus something which is likely to help/long-reputed to help, it’s a no-brainer for me which to choose. Herbs existed long before the attempts to replicate them in labs. As for the studies, just as with the Rabies Challenge Study, those funds must come from the grassroots or not at all because those with a vested interest in selling synthetics are not about to fund them!

  2. Catherine

    November 22, 2014 at 12:40 am

    “At this time, there have been no reports of dogs or cats becoming sick with Ebola or of being able to spread Ebola to people or other animals,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

  3. Ellie

    November 22, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    Since the CDC states that Ebola can only be spread by close contact with the body fluids of an infected person why on earth do we see care workers dressed up like space men and using respirators? Then they tell people they are over reacting to the Ebola epidemic!
    I admit that I have not read a lot of information about Ebola but I did hear that they put a dog down in Spain that was owned by an Ebola victim. Was it because the dog had Ebola or just because no one wanted to possibly get infected by handling the dog that had come in contact with the Ebola infected owner?

    • Carla

      November 24, 2014 at 9:56 am

      The dog in Spain did not even have the chance to catch Ebola, if that’s even possible, before they euthanized it. There are problems with Ebola tests for dogs. Check out the ProMED mail, it gives facts and not hype.

    • Barbara

      November 24, 2014 at 4:04 pm

      Symptoms of Ebola include projectile vomiting, severe diarrhea, and bleeding from eyes, nose and ears. Hence the spacesuits.

      • Ellie

        November 24, 2014 at 9:10 pm

        Yes, in it’s advanced state it is a messy disease but a patient newly diagnosed and stable should not require such theatrics. The usual universal precautions should be enough in such situations.

  4. Terri janson

    November 23, 2014 at 8:49 am

    This isn’t funny but reminds me of Stephen Kings story “The Stand”. The way our government tries to hide things from us

    • Carla

      November 24, 2014 at 9:58 am

      I’m not sure what you think the government is trying to hide from us vis-a-vis Ebola. The information is out there, but people need to be critical of where the information is coming from and what their motivation might be. Again, check out ProMED mail, it is not a news source or slanted — it is by scientists, for scientists.

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