The big news this year has been about the H1N1 virus. But were you aware that there is also a bad version of the flu going around for dogs? It’s called canine influenza and has been reported in 30 states so far.
I was in my vet’s office recently and picked up a pamphlet that explained everything to me and I want to pass the info on, so here it is…
What is canine influenza?
Canine influenza is a newly emerging infectious disease caused by a “flu” virus. In dogs, a highly contagious strain of the influenza A virus known as H3N8 is able to cause respiratory illness. Other strains of the influenza A virus are responsible for causing infections in birds, horses, pigs, and people. Canine influenza virus only affects dogs.
How contagious is canine influenza?
Just like human “flu”, canine influenza is highly contagious. In fact, unless a dog has already had the illness and recovered, virtually every dog exposed to the virus will become infected. This is because the virus is relatively new, and dogs have no natural immunity to it. While 100% of dogs are susceptible to influenza infection, about 80% of infected dogs will show signs of infection. Dogs that do not show signs of the disease can still spread the virus to other dogs.
Since2003, there have been numerous reports of influenza outbreaks in veterinary clinics, kennels, and shelters. Some of these outbreaks were traced back to the presence of one sick dog that spread the virus throughout the facility and infected many other dogs.
What are the signs of canine influenza?
The most common sign of canine influenza is a persistent cough. Some dogs have a soft, moist, “productive” cough, while others have a dry cough similar to that seen in dogs with kennel cough – a respiratory condition that is caused by any of a number of other viruses and bacteria. It’s this similarity to kennel cough that makes it hard for your veterinarian to diagnose which illness your dog has.
About 80% of dogs who show signs of influenza will have mild disease. Signs in this case include a low-grade fever, nasal discharge, lack of energy, loss of appetite, and a cough that can last for up to a month.
How serious is canine influenza?
Canine influenza is usually mild but can become quite serious in some dogs. In about 20% of the cases, more severe signs will occur, such as a high fever (104 degrees F to 106 degrees F) and pneumonia. A small number of dogs infected with the virus have died from complications associated with the disease.
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