It was reported in January 2004 that a pack of greyhounds at a Florida racetrack fell mysteriously ill. They all showed signs of respiratory distress: coughing, fever, and runny nose. The symptoms could easily be mistaken for “Kennel Cough,” a disease caused by a bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica.
But, it soon became obvious that this particular group of dogs wasn’t suffering from Kennel Cough. In total, 8 of the 24 infected dogs eventuall
y died while researchers zeroed in on the culprit.
What they found wasn’t some new disease. It was the flu. Veterinary scientists discovered that the dogs had been infected with an influenza A virus of equine origin — this flu came from horses.
The racetrack where the dogs fell ill also happened to host race horses. This particular strain of influenza, H3N8, had apparently made the jump to a new host species.
The flu’s ability to do so isn’t uncommon. It is known to exist in many different variations in many different species, including birds, pigs, and humans.
However, this incident was the first time that the flu was isolated in canines. Dogs were often considered “refractory,” or resistant, to influenza, but no anymore.
In 2018, the dog flu appears to have reared its head again: Over 100 cases have been reported in Michigan. Nearby Wisconsin has also reported recent cases, as have a handful of states on the East Coast, including Massachusetts, Virginia, and Connecticut.
Its garnered headlines from nationally syndicated news media, saying that a mysterious, highly contagious disease is spreading, feeding into the fear of a new doggie epidemic.
But pet owners shouldn’t panic.
“There’s a lot of hype and hysteria,” said John de Jong, DVM, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “It’s not much worse than any previous time. The AVMA wants to make sure that pet owners realize there’s nothing to panic about at this time. We see outbreaks like this flare up from time to time.”
You can further be assured that while, yes, Canine Influenza virus is highly contagious, and it’s rarely fatal. It is estimated to have a mortality rate of less than 10 percent, and only in young puppies, geriatric dogs, or those with compromised immune systems.
Nevertheless, it’s a real disease and you should be informed about it.
Dog flu symptoms:
The symptoms of canine influenza include coughing, fever, runny nose, lethargy, and lack of appetite, although individual symptoms may vary from dog to dog.
It can be spread through excretions and aerosolized particles from the respiratory tract, meaning coughs and sneezes, as will “nose-to-nose” contact between dogs.
Canine flu hasn’t been found to be seasonal like the human influenza virus, though weather can be a major concern for the spread of this virus.
Dog flu vaccination and treatment:
Treatment options for dog flu are robust. There is in fact a canine influenza vaccine for either strain. There’s also a bivalent option available, meaning that it protects against both strains.
The flu vaccine for dogs is generally regarded as safe and effective, but it’s still quite new, and experts say it isn’t for every dog. The vaccine is regarded as a “lifestyle vaccine,” meaning that whether your dog needs it or not will depend on a few factors.
Some kennels are now requiring that dogs receive the vaccine before being housed. Even if not required, the vaccine may be a good idea, simply because boarding facilities with many dogs in close proximity can be favorable for influenza to spread.
And should your dog actually come down with a case of the flu, get a Veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. The disease is highly contagious so isolation of infected animals is important.
In a majority of cases, dogs with the flu usually recover completely in two to three weeks.
Living Tissue
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