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| Reports of a highly contagious canine flu have recently inundated the airwaves, the newspapers, and the internet. What exactly is this disease? Here are some helpful facts. What is canine influenza? Canine influenza is a new, highly contagious respiratory disease that can mimic signs of "kennel cough" but is more serious and generally requires veterinary medical attention. It is caused by a virus which is related to a strain that affects horses. At some point the virus mutated and the new strain made the leap from horses to dogs. What are the symptoms? The signs are very similar to those of "kennel cough." Dogs often have a cough that may persist for as long as three weeks despite treatment with antibiotics and cough suppressants. Many dogs also have yellowish nasal discharge and a low-grade fever. How is canine influenza spread? The virus is spread by airborne respiratory secretions, contaminated objects, and people moving back and forth between infected and uninfected dogs. Is my dog at risk? Yes. All dogs are at risk. Canine influenza is a highly infectious disease – virtually all dogs exposed to the virus will develop the disease. What is the mortality rate? Canine influenza has a very low mortality rate. Only between one and eight percent of all cases result in death. Most dogs with canine influenza experience a mild form of the disease. Can canine influenza be transferred to humans? No. There are no known cases of canine flu infecting humans. What do I do if my pet shows signs of canine influenza? Contact your veterinarian immediately. Be sure to tell your veterinarian if your dog has been boarded, taken to the groomer, or been involved in any social activities (e.g. dog park, doggie day care, etc.) within the last month. While there is no cure for canine influenza, your dog will be given supportive therapy and antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections. Should I continue to take my dog to the groomer, doggie day care, dog park, boarding facility, etc.? This is a decision you need to make individually, balancing your needs and those of your dog with the potential risk. A few helpful precautions: • Use boarding kennels, grooming facilities, dog parks, and doggie day care sites that are familiar to you and with which you feel comfortable. Ask the facilities if they have had any recent cases of respiratory illnesses in dogs and what measures they take if such a situation occurs. • Be alert to news of any influenza outbreaks in your area. • If your dog has a respiratory infection or has recently recovered from a respiratory infection, keep him at home for a couple of weeks to allow a complete recovery and reduce the transmission to other dogs. |
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