Dog's Death Blamed On West Nile

IONIA, Mich. -- Tests have found that a dog in Michigan died from the West Nile virus.

The dog died in Ionia County in November, but the results of the tests have just been released.

Just before Thanksgiving, Tina and Matt Robertson woke up to find their dog Husker was sick. A few days later, she was euthanized.

Previously, West Nile virus was not known to cause serious illness in dogs.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the virus cannot be spread from pets to humans.

University of Illinois veterinary diagnostic lab director John Andrews said he suspects most dogs are safe from the disease, but elderly dogs may be at risk.

Signs of possible infection include unusual head bobbing, lethargy and progressive weakening.

Officials say pet owners should avoid walking at-risk dogs in areas with a lot of mosquitoes, and keeping them indoors in the evening.

Pet owners should not use insect spray on dogs because the animals can lick it off and ingest it.

Horses are known to be more susceptible, as well as hundreds of varieties of birds.