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 known fatality in Canada of a domestic dog due to avian flu, following a previous case in Oshawa, Ont., in 2023. The incident occurred when the Alberta dog, after ingesting a snow goose, was taken to a veterinarian in the central part of the province in November 2025. Confirming the disease, the University of Calgary diagnostic services unit analyzed the dog’s body.
The fatal avian flu case was communicated by the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian through an email memo to veterinarians in Alberta earlier this week. The dog, a 10-year-old female goldendoodle, was under treatment for an immune disorder, which could have contributed to its demise. Sadly, the dog passed away four days after the veterinary visit.
Dr. Hussein Keshwani, the deputy chief provincial veterinarian, highlighted the importance of preventing pet exposure to raw meat. Although the exact circumstances of the dog’s contact with the snow goose remain unclear, Dr. Keshwani emphasized the necessity for pet owners to restrain their animals from consuming raw meat, especially during migration seasons.
While the specific location of exposure was not disclosed by the authorities, Dr. Keshwani explained that the vast presence of potentially infected birds across the province poses a widespread risk. Notably, three cases of avian influenza were identified in snow geese in Alberta this year, with the latest instance occurring at Buffalo Lake, east of Red Deer.
Tracy Fisher, president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, reassured that avian flu cases in domestic cats and dogs are not escalating in Canada, despite existing risks. Drawing a comparison with the U.S., where recent incidents of pet infections from avian influenza have been linked to raw meat consumption, Fisher stressed the severity of the disease and its symptoms in domestic mammals.
In Canada, dogs have their influenza strain, canine influenza or dog flu, making avian flu occurrences in dogs uncommon. Besides dogs, other non-bird species in Canada that have succumbed to avian flu include striped skunks, red foxes, and certain seal species. Moreover, there have been reports of avian flu outbreaks affecting cattle in the United States.
The first known human fatality due to avian influenza in North America was recorded in Alberta in 2014. This underscores the significance of monitoring and preventing the spread of avian flu among animals and humans.