In Alberta, a dog has succumbed to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), as reported by the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian. This marks the second documented fatality of avian flu in a domestic dog in Canada, following the initial case in Oshawa, Ont., in 2023, where the disease was contracted from a snow goose.
The incident in Alberta unfolded when the dog ingested a snow goose and was subsequently taken to a veterinarian in the central region of the province in November 2025. Post-mortem analysis at the University of Calgary diagnostic services unit confirmed the presence of avian influenza in the dog.
The Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian communicated the tragic occurrence in a memo distributed to veterinarians throughout Alberta earlier this week. Hussein Keshwani, the deputy chief provincial veterinarian, disclosed that the dog, a 10-year-old female goldendoodle, was already under treatment for an immune disorder, which may have contributed to its demise just four days after veterinary care.
The circumstances surrounding the dog’s exposure to the snow goose remain unclear. Keshwani emphasized the importance of pet owners preventing their animals from consuming raw meat to avoid such incidents. The Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian and the University of Calgary opted not to disclose the exact location of the exposure, citing the widespread presence of potentially infected birds across the province as a significant risk factor.
According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s latest wildlife cases map, three cases of avian influenza were confirmed in snow geese in Alberta this year. These cases included one at Buffalo Lake, east of Red Deer, in August, and two others near Edmonton.
Tracy Fisher, president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, reassured that there is no notable surge in avian flu cases among domestic cats and dogs in Canada, although a risk persists. She drew comparisons to the United States, where several recent incidents involved pets contracting avian influenza from raw meat and unpasteurized milk.
Symptoms of avian influenza in domestic mammals may include eye and nose discharge, along with neurological manifestations like twitching and seizures. Fisher highlighted the severity of the disease, describing it as “very nasty.” While dogs are susceptible to their influenza strain, known as canine influenza or dog flu, contracting avian flu is rare for them.
Noteworthy instances of non-bird animals succumbing to avian flu in Canada encompass striped skunks, red foxes, and certain seal species. Additionally, there has been an outbreak of the disease affecting cattle in the United States. The first documented fatal case of avian influenza in a human in North America occurred in Alberta in 2014.