Infectious Disease Archives - Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital

HPAI – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

September 12, 2025February 3, 2025 by Practice Manager- Kate

Updated April 2025 AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) RISK TO CATS BEING FED RAW OR FREEZE-DRIED DIETS HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza), due to infection with the virus, H5N1, is a steadily increasing concern across the world. Since its discovery in the United States in February 2022, it has caused deaths in many wild birds, and has required the destruction of many commercial and backyard flocks to help limit spread. Infection in birds is usually caused by direct exposure to other infected birds and is often spread by migrating wild birds. Spread of H5N1 to other species is much less … Read more »

Canine Respiratory Disease in WA- An Update

December 4, 2023 by Practice Manager- Kate

Uncovering the mystery of canine respiratory disease in Washington Please click the link above to review the most recent update from our Washington State Veterinarian, Dr. Amber Itle.

Recent Reports of Serious Upper Respiratory Infection in Dogs Outside of WA

November 17, 2023 by Practice Manager- Kate

Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital has become aware of a recent increase of serious upper respiratory infection cases in dogs in Oregon, California and Colorado, among other areas. Several concerned clients have contacted us for recommendations as we move into the holiday season and travel plans are being finalized. Thankfully, at FVH, we have not seen an increase in coughing dogs nor cases of unusually severe respiratory problems in dogs and we do not think there is an immediate threat locally. Contagious, upper-respiratory infections are always at greater risk in scenarios where dogs are in group settings, such as off leash dog parks, … Read more »

COVID-19 and Companion Animals Update

July 12, 2023April 26, 2021 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Seattle’s King 5 News agency recently published an article reporting positive COVID-19 tests in 23 dogs. All dogs were part of a research study being conducted by the University of Washington to determine if companion animals living in the homes with known COVID-19 human infections might also test positive for the virus. These findings are consistent with prior scattered reports of companion animals, who are living with people with COVID-19 infection, testing positive for the virus. The importance of these positive tests is unclear. Thankfully, despite more than a year of the entire world living with COVID-19, severe clinical illness … Read more »

Coronavirus (COVID-19)-Companion Animal Q&A

July 12, 2023March 3, 2020 by Dr. Wendy Zawoysky

Hi everyone, its Dr. Wendy. Let’s talk Coronavirus! We are fielding an increasing number of calls from concerned clients about the human Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its relevance to companion animals. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), no animals in the United States have been identified with the virus, and there is no evidence that dogs or other pets can contract or spread COVID-19. Here is a link to the specific section at the CDC site where animals are addressed: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#animals. Below are my quick answers to your most common concerns based … Read more »

WA State Canine Influenza Update

January 12, 2018January 20, 2016 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

Canine Influenza Canine Influenza Update by Dr. Mark Kummer — January 12, 2018: Despite the “red-flag” raised by a recent Fox News article, republished this week by the Bellingham herald, there has been no serious increase in flu cases on the west coast, and no confirmed cases reported in Washington for over 2-years. Consultation with the Washington State Veterinary Medical association, and with internal-medicine specialists at the two laboratories where we and other veterinarians send test samples, confirms this information. Occasional outbreaks of Canine Influenza, usually in shelter animals, remain a low-level problem in the United States, and have recently been diagnosed … Read more »

Heartworm in WA?

April 2, 2024May 21, 2013 by Dr. Mark Kummer, Medical Director

***Note our recommendations changed as of April 2021…https://fairhavenvet.com/heartworm-in-wa-update-testing-now-recommended/*** What is heartworm? Are pets at risk for heartworm disease in western Washington? How do I protect my pet from contracting this serious parasitic infection? These are important questions asked by clients new to the area or those travelling with their pets on vacation. What is heartworm? According to the FDA website on animal diseases, “Heartworm is a serious disease that results in severe lung disease, heart failure, other organ damage, and death in pets, mainly dogs, cats, and ferrets. It is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis. The worms … Read more »