DO DOGS GET THE FLU?

It is impossible to turn on the news and not hear reports about the Human Flu, it is time to get your flu shots everybody. But did you know that dogs also have a flu virus, Canine Influenza?

In January 2004, there was a sudden outbreak of respiratory disease among greyhounds at a Florida racetrack. Most of the dogs developed a mild fever followed by a cough, then recovered. But approximately one third of the dogs died after developing hemorrhaging in the lungs. Within six months, the virus turned up at tracks in six other states and continued to spread. The virus has now affected dogs in over 30 states but it is most prevalent in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Colorado.

The canine flu virus actually mutated from a horse flu virus. This virus is not contagious to humans. This virus is easily transmitted between dogs in much the same way that flu spreads among humans, but not all dogs get sick and not all those that do get sick will die. However, all dogs are considered susceptible to infection. Another problem is that the canine flu virus may initially be misdiagnosed as another respiratory disease in dogs known as “kennel cough” which usually does not progress to pneumonia.

Pet owners should note that if their dogs are coughing, sneezing, or have a runny nose, they should see their veterinarian and their pet should not attend day care or otherwise come into contact with other dogs. Canine influenza usually starts out with coughing or gagging that may last as long as three weeks. Symptoms typically appear within 7 to 10 days post exposure. Clinical signs in dogs include coughing, runny nose, lethargy, depression, and a fever as high as 103-107 degrees. In the acute and severe form, a viral pneumonia can develop.

Unless a dog has already had the illness and recovered, virtually every dog exposed to the virus will become infected. This is because the virus is relatively new, and dogs have no natural immunity to it. There is a vaccine for canine influenza. It has been clinically proven to significantly reduce the severity of influenza and the length of time that a dog is sick. Your veterinarian can advise you whether this new influenza vaccine should be added to your dog’s vaccination schedule.