CANINE INFLUENZA

Canine Influenza

*All dogs are at risk and are susceptible to infection. The vaccine does not prevent the disease, but it decreases the disease’s severity. The vaccine is available now.

*The canine flu is usually not fatal. Most dogs diagnosed with the influenza experience a mild form of the disease. They may have a yellowish nasal discharge that can be effectively treated with antibiotics, and suffer from a persistent cough that usually lasts for as long as 3 weeks. There are dogs that suffer a stronger version of the flu. They frequently have a high fever and exhibit increased respiratory rates and other indications of pneumonia. Correct antibiotic 6reatektn in these cases is about 95% successful.

*This appears to be an airborne disease currently. It is a lot like kennel cough. Physical contact between dogs does not seem to be required. To date there are no documented cases of humans contracting canine influenza from dogs.

*The greater the exposure your dog has to other dogs, the greater the chance of infection. If your dog socializes frequently with other dogs or is boarded at a kennel, the odds of exposure are greater then if your dog remains at home. Contact your veterinarian to see if canine influenza vaccination is needed.

*The symptoms are very similar to kennel cough. The first indication is a cough that may last for as long as 3 weeks in spite of antibiotic treatment. According to an advisory issued by the University of Florida College of Veterinary medicine, “Most dogs have a soft, moist cough, while others have a dry cough similar to that induced by kennel cough. Many dogs have purulent nasal discharge and a low- grade fever. The nasal discharge likely represents a secondary bacterial infection that quickly resolves with treatment with a broad- spectrum, bactericidal antibiotic. *If you think your dog may have this flu contact your veterinarian immediately. Be sure to tell your veterinarian if your dog has been boarded, sent to the groomer or involved in any social activates within the last month.

****Remember coughing may be a symptom of a variety of diseases. Your veterinarian is best qualified to make the diagnosis.

*Adopting a dog from a shelter is a wonderful way to acquire a pet and most shelters are now vaccinating dogs for canine influenza. Given that canine influenza is a contagious disease, be sure to take reasonable precautions, particularly if you have another dog at home.

*Those precautions may include:

1) Obtain your new pet from a shelter with which you are familiar and in which you have confidence.

2) Inquire about the shelter’s quarantine procedures. Ask if incoming animals are kept in a separate area during the quarantine period, and ask if the shelter avoids any cross-traffic between new animals and the general population until the quarantine period has elapsed.

3) Inspect the general population area for yourself when you walk through

4) Ask if the shelter has experienced any cases of canine influenza- and ask how those cases were treated..

5) Finally, ask if the shelter vaccinate dogs for canine influenza. 

*The incubation period for the canine flu is approximately 2-5 days.