Home / Environment / Avian Flu Claims Alberta Dog After Snow Goose Ingestion
Avian Flu Claims Alberta Dog After Snow Goose Ingestion
20 Dec, 2025
Summary
- An Alberta dog died from highly pathogenic avian influenza after ingesting a snow goose.
- This is the second confirmed fatal canine avian flu case in Canada since 2023.
- Veterinarians advise pet owners to prevent animals from consuming raw meat and wildlife.
A dog in Alberta has died from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) after reportedly ingesting a snow goose. This is the second confirmed fatal case of avian flu in a domestic dog in Canada, with the first occurring in Oshawa, Ontario, in 2023. The Alberta dog, a 10-year-old goldendoodle, was being treated for an immune disease, which may have contributed to its death.
Veterinarians emphasize the importance of preventing pets from consuming raw meat, particularly wildlife. Keeping pets leashed and preventing them from roaming outdoors, especially during migration seasons, can help avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife or contaminated water sources. Potentially infected birds can pose a risk across large areas of the province.
While avian flu cases in domestic cats and dogs are not notably increasing in Canada, there remains a risk. Symptoms in domestic mammals can include eye and nasal discharge, along with neurological signs. Other non-bird animals that have contracted avian flu in Canada include striped skunks and red foxes.
