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June 01, 2006
Canine Influenza Facts
What is Canine Influenza?
Canine Influenza is an emerging infectious upper respiratory viral disease in dogs that is thought to have first evolved from a strain of horse influenza. It was first documented in Florida in 2004 and likely first “jumped species” from horses to dogs in early 2000.
How is Canine Influenza transmitted?
This disease is transmitted by aerosolized respiratory droplets. Direct contact is not thought to be required. There is a 2-5 day incubation period. After the onset of clinical signs, animals actively secrete the virus for 7-10 days.
What are the clinical signs of this disease?
Canine Influenza is very contagious, because it a virus that dogs have no natural immunity to and there is no vaccine available at this time. All dogs, regardless of age or breed, are susceptible. Virtually 100% of dogs exposed will become infected. 80% will have clinical signs.
There are two clinical syndromes – a mild form and a more severe form. 20% of dogs will be asymptomatic and never show signs, although they can spread virus to other dogs…
80% of clinical dogs show the milder form. Dogs often have a soft, moist cough that mimics “kennel cough”. A mild fever and nasal discharge may also be present. Coughs often persist for 2-3 weeks despite antibiotic therapy.
A smaller percentage of clinical dogs (1-10%) develop a more severe form with clinical signs of pneumonia. These dogs may have high fevers and secondary bacterial infections...
What is the mortality rate?
The actual mortality (death rate) associated with this disease is very low; less than 8%.
How is Canine Influenza Diagnosed?
There is not a reliable rapid screening test yet available in a live dog. Veterinarians must draw serum (blood) samples and evaluate the titer levels of antibody to the virus. Generally, paired samples from a dog during the acute phase of illness are compared to samples post recovery two weeks later. More rapid results can be obtained from tissue samples taken if dogs die or are euthanized using other test methods. There are only a handful of laboratories equipped to accurately diagnose Canine Influenza. Cornell Animal Health Center is one of the leading experts.
How prevalent is Canine Influenza?
Cases of Canine Influenza have been documented across the United States, in the United Kingdom, and in Canada. Canine Influenza is present in Colorado, and cases of Canine Influenza have been seen in Larimer County recently as well as in surrounding areas.
What precautions are being taken to protect animals at the Larimer Humane Society from this disease?
There is no vaccine available for Canine Influenza at this time. The virus is spread much like any other infectious virus (through aerosol droplets, on inanimate objects, and by people). It is killed by most routine disinfectants. The Larimer Humane Society closely monitors all animals for signs of respiratory disease and uses contagious disease isolation protocols to keep ill animals separate from the general population. Stringent cleaning protocols also help to reduce the likelihood of transmission, but the reality is that this virus is present in our communities, and animal shelters receive animals with many infectious diseases, and thus must be prepared to effectively make diagnostic, treatment, and isolation decisions when infectious outbreaks occur.
What is the treatment for Canine Influenza?
Isolating any dog with a cough is one of the most important steps to controlling canine influenza. The disease is viral, and supportive care may be the only needed therapy in the milder form. Prevention/treatment of secondary bacterial infections with appropriate antibiotic selection can be needed. The more severe form requires hospitalization and therapy for pneumonia. A small percentage of dogs may die despite appropriate therapy, or before therapy can be instituted.
Can Canine Influenza be transmitted to humans?
There are no known cases of canine influenza in humans, and no reason to suspect this disease poses a risk to human health.
Should I continue to take my dog to public places like the dog park, pet supply store, day care etc…? Should I have a concern about adopting from a shelter?
It is always good to be sure your own dog is current on vaccinations recommended by a veterinarian. Although there is no vaccine for canine influenza, there are vaccines that decrease the severity of other upper respiratory disease in dogs. As long as good infectious disease control protocols are in place, pet owners and adopters should not be overly concerned. Canine influenza is a disease that will likely continue to spread, but does not appear to be cause for panic or alarm.
Posted by sue at June 1, 2006 04:20 PM