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CANINE INFLUENZA
Canine influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a flu virus that is similar to the human flu virus. Dogs that are exposed to the virus develop a cough which can be moist or dry. Even though this disease is highly contagious, most dogs will only become slightly ill and have a persistent cough, nasal discharge, low grade fever, and mild lethargy. However, some dogs will develop more severe signs such as a high fever and pneumonia.
Canine influenza is transmitted the same way as the human flu, through contaminated surfaces and direct contact such as coughing and sneezing. Virus particles can live on surfaces for longer than 12 hours and affect other dogs.
Diagnosing influenza can be difficult due to its similarity to other respiratory conditions such as kennel cough. Your veterinarian may choose to collect nasal swabs to help diagnose influenza, especially if your dog has been exposed to other cases of influenza or if your pet is showing severe clinical signs.
Since influenza is a virus there is no specific treatment, instead treatment is aimed at supportive care such as rest, isolation, good nutrition and lots of fluids. If your pet is diagnosed with pneumonia, secondary to a severe influenza infection, additional treatment will be needed including antibiotics and nebulization.
Protecting your dog from canine influenza can be difficult since other dogs can shed the virus for days before clinical signs appear. Protection starts with keeping your dog healthy through regular wellness visits, good nutrition, adequate hydration and rest. The stronger your pet’s immune system, the more likely he or she is to fight off the infection. A new canine influenza vaccine has been introduced that will decrease the risk of pneumonia, shorten the length of clinical signs, and decrease the amount of viral shedding. Patients must receive two injections 2-4 weeks apart with maximum protection occurring two weeks after the second vaccine is given. Because this vaccine is new, long term safety studies are not available. The testing that has occurred, however, has shown the vaccine to be safe and moderately effective.
Clocktower Animal Hospital is not making influenza vaccine mandatory for our patients, however some area boarding facilities are requiring it. If you plan on boarding your pet, please call the kennel ahead of time to find out its policy. Make sure to ask if they have an influenza outbreak management plan in place and if they have had any confirmed cases of influenza. Group training classes and doggie daycare facilities may also require influenza vaccination. Please call Clocktower Animal Hospital to start the influenza vaccine series if required.
For more information please visit the following websites or call our office to schedule a doctor consultation. Your pet’s annual comprehensive exam provides is a perfect opportunity to discuss whether the canine influenza vaccine is recommended for your pet.
www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=194
www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/canine_bgnd.asp
www.doginfluenza.com
www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-canine-flu-question-and-answer.html
www.cdc.gov/flu/canine