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Fast Facts about Canine Influenza |
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It seemed to appear without warning. Suddenly, in late September of 2005,
newspapers, television news
programs and Internet
websites were filled with stories about canine influenza, a new flu-like canine
disease rumored to be sweeping the country.
But, how new is canine influenza,
really? How did it develop? How is it spread? How do we treat it? And, are there
a few, common sense precautions that may lessen your pet’s risk?
To answer your
questions, Indian Walk Veterinary Center has acquired the most
current information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and
researchers in the field. This is an emerging issue in which new developments
occur very quickly, so be sure to check with us for updates.
FAQs:
How did canine influenza develop?
When was
the first outbreak?
How is canine influenza spread?
Is my dog at risk?
Does this mean I shouldn’t take my dog to the
groomer, day care, dog park, or boarding facility?
What are the symptoms of canine influenza?
Is canine influenza fatal?
What is the incubation period for canine
influenza?
How do I protect my dog?
What should I do if I suspect my dog has canine
influenza?
How is canine influenza treated?
Can I catch canine influenza from my dog?
Can my dog contract canine influenza at the veterinarian’s office?
Is it
safe to adopt a dog from a shelter?
Where can I find more information on
canine influenza virus?
How did canine influenza
develop?
The “canine influenza virus” is an
influenza A H3N8 influenza virus (not a human influenza virus) that was
originally an equine (horse) influenza virus. The H3N8 equine influenza virus
has been known to exist in horses for more than 40 years. Scientists believe
that this virus jumped species (from horses to dogs) and has now adapted to
cause illness in dogs and spread efficiently among dogs. This is now considered
a new dog-specific lineage of H3N8.
When was the first outbreak?
Canine
influenza was diagnosed initially in 2004. Initially, outbreaks seemed to be
confined to greyhound racetracks and seemed to affect only racing dogs.
According to a September 26, 2005, CDC media briefing, the first evidence of
canine influenza in companion dogs was documented in Spring 2005 when shelters,
boarding facilities, humane societies and veterinarians submitted samples from
dogs suspected of carrying the disease.
How is canine influenza spread?
Canine
influenza virus can be spread by direct contact with respiratory secretions from
infected dogs, by contact with contaminated objects, and by people moving
between infected and uninfected dogs. Therefore, dog owners whose dogs are
coughing or showing other signs of respiratory disease should not participate in
activities or bring their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to
the virus. Clothing, equipment, surfaces, and hands should be cleaned and
disinfected after exposure to dogs showing signs of respiratory disease.
Is my dog at risk?
Yes. All dogs are
susceptible to infection.
Does this mean I shouldn’t take my dog to the groomer, day
care, dog park, or boarding facility?
That is a decision you need
to make individually, balancing your needs and those of your animal with the
potential risk.
During the CDC media briefing, pet
owners were advised to take “reasonable precautions.” For instance, if your pet
exhibits signs of a respiratory illness, be sure to contact us.
Also, use groomers, day care sites
and kennels with which you are familiar and at which you feel comfortable. You
are entitled to ask about steps operators take to isolate any dogs that appear
to be ill.
Finally, you should remain advised
of media notices about outbreaks in our area. It’s possible that canine
influenza may never appear in our community.
What are the symptoms of canine
influenza?
The symptoms are very
similar to kennel cough. The first indication is a cough that may last for as
long as three weeks in spite of treatment with antibiotics. According to an
advisory issued by the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine,
“Most dogs have a soft, moist cough, while others have a dry cough similar to
that induced by kennel cough infection. Many dogs have purulent nasal discharge
and a low-grade fever. The nasal discharge likely represents a secondary
bacterial infection that quickly resolves with treatment with a broad-spectrum,
bactericidal antibiotic.
Is canine influenza fatal?
Usually not.
Most dogs diagnosed with canine influenza experience a mild form of the disease.
They may suffer from a persistent cough that can last for as long as three weeks
and may experience a yellowish nasal discharge that can be treated effectively
with antibiotics. About 80 percent of dogs will have a mild form of disease.
Dogs that experience a severe case
of canine influenza frequently have a high fever and exhibit increased
respiratory rates and other indications of pneumonia. Currently, antibiotics
treat this form of the disease successfully in about 95 percent of the cases.
What
is the incubation period for canine influenza?
The incubation is
approximately 2-5 days.
How do I protect my dog?
 Assume
that the greater the exposure your dog has to other dogs, the greater the chance of infection. If your dog
socializes frequently with other dogs or is boarded at a kennel, the odds of
exposure are greater than if your dog remains at home.
Recently, a conditional license was
granted for a canine influenza virus vaccine for use in dogs in the United
States. We will be happy to discuss whether your dog requires this vaccine,
based on risk factors.
What should I do if I suspect my dog
has canine influenza?
Contact us immediately. Be
sure to tell our staff if your dog has been boarded, sent to the groomer or
involved in any social activities (dog park, doggie day care, etc.) within the
last month.
Remember, coughing may be an
indication of any of a variety of diseases. Our doctors are best qualified to
make the diagnosis. Testing to confirm canine influenza virus infection is
available at veterinary diagnostic centers. The tests can be performed using
respiratory secretions collected at the time of disease onset or using two blood
samples; the first collected while the animal is sick and the second 2 to 3
weeks later.
How
is canine influenza treated?
 Treatment
largely consists of supportive care. This helps the dog mount an immune
response. In the milder form of the disease, this care may include medication to
make your dog more comfortable and fluids to ensure that your
dog remains well-hydrated. Broad spectrum antibiotics may be prescribed if a
secondary bacterial infection is suspected.
Can I catch canine influenza from my dog?
To date
(2009), there is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza virus from dogs
to people and there has not been a single reported case of human infection with
the canine influenza virus. While this virus infects dogs and spreads between
dogs, there is no evidence that this virus infects humans.
However, human infections with new
influenza viruses (against which the human population has little immunity) would
be concerning if they occurred. Influenza viruses are constantly changing and it
is possible for a virus to change so that it could infect humans and spread
easily between humans. Such a virus could represent a pandemic influenza threat.
For this reason, CDC and its partners are monitoring the H3N8 influenza virus
(as well as other animal influenza viruses) along with instances of possible
human exposure to these viruses very closely. In general, however, canine
influenza viruses are considered to pose a low threat to humans. As mentioned
earlier, while these viruses are well established in horse and dog populations,
there is no evidence of infection among humans with this virus.
Can my dog contract canine
influenza at the veterinarian’s office?
Any time your
dog comes in contact with other dogs or uses a facility where other dogs are
present, there is risk. We take every possible precaution to prevent the spread
of disease at our facility but we cannot make any guarantees at this time.
Is it
safe to adopt a dog from a shelter?
Adopting a dog from a shelter
is a wonderful way to acquire a pet. Given that canine influenza is a new
disease, however, be sure to take reasonable precautions, particularly if you
have another dog at home.
Those precautions may include:
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Obtain your new pet from a
shelter with which you are familiar and in which you have confidence. |
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Inquire about the shelter’s
quarantine procedures. |
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Ask if incoming animals are kept
in a separate area during the quarantine period, and ask if the shelter
avoids any cross-traffic between new animals and the general population
until the quarantine period has elapsed.
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Inspect the general population
area for yourself when you walk through. |
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Ask if the shelter has
experienced any cases of canine influenza – and how those cases were
treated. |
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Finally, ask if the shelter has
acquired any animals from states or shelters that experienced an outbreak.
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Where can I find more information on canine influenza
virus?
More information on canine influenza in pet dogs
can be found in this article:
Influenza A Virus (H3N8)
in Dogs with Respiratory Disease, Florida
in Emerging Infectious Diseases journal.
In addition,
the following websites may provide additional information about particular
animal diseases or conditions, or infection control practices:
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