Canine Influenza update
October 29, 2009
With the focus on human seasonal flu and the new H1N1 vaccine, it’s easy to get confused about canine influenza. There’s a new vaccine for this form of flu, too.
Canine flu is actually an adapted form of an equine flu virus (H3N8) that has jumped species and now allows efficient passage from dog to dog. The first cases were seen in 2004 when veterinarians recognized a newly emergent respiratory disease in canines. The first cases were reported in racing Greyhounds in Florida.
The disease is spread by direct contact with respiratory secretions from infected dogs. However, this can mean exposure to objects or people who have been exposed to infected dogs as well as direct dog-to-dog transmission.
The incubation period is typically 2-3 days. The symptoms dogs experience are those you would expect: coughing, runny nose and fever. A small percentage of infected dogs go on to develop more severe disease, including pneumonia. The vast majority of dogs, however, experience only mild forms of the disease.
This is a viral disease; there is no specific treatment for infected dogs. Patients with the mild form may not require any treatment, or need supportive care including fluids and medication for pain or fever. Cases where pneumonia is a complication may need to be hospitalized for intravenous fluids and antibiotic therapy.
At first, veterinarians were concerned that rapid spread through a dog population with no immunity would result in many infections and high mortality rate. This has not been the case, although the virus has been tracked through more than 30 states. A new vaccine (Schering-Plough) has been approved and released just this summer, and the media/marketing blitz has raised public awareness.
At this point, we do not recommend widespread use of the vaccine for our patients. While there may be individual situations where protection is needed, we believe that the clinical illness is, in almost all cases, too mild to warrant preventive vaccination.
For now, be aware of this emerging disease, the opportunities for transmission and monitor your dog for signs. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, please call our office and speak to one of our doctors.
Check out AVMA's, Animal Tracks, a weekly podcast on animal health issues.
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When to see your vet:
Five reasons to see your veterinarian today
- Bleeding from anywhere
- Vomiting with a loss of appetite
- Acute pain – including eyes (squinting)
- Respiratory difficulty
- Sudden and extreme lethargy
Five reasons to see your veterinarian tomorrow
- Acute lameness
- Intense itching
- Decreased appetite
- Increased thirst or urination
- Persistent diarrhea
Five reasons to see your veterinarian soon
- Decrease in weight
- Change in activity levels
- Hair loss
- Bad breath
- Chronic lameness
Dental Health
PetFit Challenge
Pet owners understand that obesity is about more than appearance. Scientific evidence shows that obesity is a condition that can lead to serious disease. In conjunction with the AVMA and Hill’s our hospital is focused on raising awareness about the right way to achieve and maintain healthy weight:
- Proper nutrition
- Increased physical activity
- Regular veterinary visits
Click on the link above for tools to help you increase your pet’s activity, decrease their weight and start them living a happier and healthier life!
Bond Animal Hospital
250 Central Avenue
White Plains, New York 10606
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