Canine Influenza Or Dog Flu

Canine influenza, or dog flu, is it really possible? Upin your dog. However, just like kennel cough, the first
until about six years ago the answer would havesymptom to appear will be your dog starting to
been no, it is not possible. However, all that changedcough. Once this has occurred, the next set of
in 2004 when it was discovered and than confirmedsymptoms will be conjunctivitis, which is where your
by Dr. Cynda Crawford, an immunologist at thedogs eyes become very irritated, as well as rhinitis,
University Of Florida College Of Veterinary Medicine.which is where your dogs nose starts to become
It was at this time that several greyhounds wererunny. Sneezing may or may not also be one of the
diagnosed with the flu when there was a hugeearly symptoms.
outbreak at a racetrack in Jacksonville, Florida, and isIf it becomes severe, there are other two
fully documented in the September 26, 2005 editionsymptoms that will quickly surface. The first is where
of Science Magazine.your dog will start to have very difficult time
What is it?breathing, and the second is the development of a
Canine influenza is an extremely contagiousfever. If this fever reaches 106 degrees, your dogs
respiratory disease in dogs that is often confusedlife may now be in danger and you need to seek
with kennel cough, but it is much more serious. Inimmediate medical attention. However, there is also
fact, it can be so serious, that although rare, it canone other potential life threatening symptom with
take the life of your dog. However, it does not justdog flu; pneumonia.
affect greyhounds any longer as it has now spreadThere have been reports that a small number of
to the entire dog population and it has become adogs have developed pneumonia as the result of this
world wide potential health risk for your dog.virus, and they have not survived it.
Canine influenza is believed to have originated from aTreatments:
horse virus and is technically referred to as H3N8Canine influenza has no universally accepted
influenza virus. Although at first there was a lot oftreatment as it is still very early in the actual
misconception, it is definitely not a human virus, anddiscovery as well as understanding stages relative to
as such, it can not be transmitted to humans. It is anthe virus. To add to the confusion, any form of
equine virus and has been quite common in horsestreatment may also be controversial, simply because
for at least 40 years and it is now commonlyyour veterinarian may not be sure if it is the flu or
believed that it adapted from horses and can and hasjust kennel cough. Once it is identified as dogs flu,
caused illness in dogs.fluids may be given to help prevent dehydration, but
It is still quite often confused with Bordetlla, or kennelif your dog has difficult time breathing, they may
cough, which is a virus complex. Kennel cough willhave to be hospitalized and given oxygen until it
affect your dogs windpipe as well as their bronchialsubsides.
tree but it is usually very mild to moderate inCough suppressants may also be utilized but before
severity without any other real symptoms. Becausethis is done, make sure to discuss in detail the pros
of this, it is considered to be self limiting. However,and cons of this form of treatment as it can be
canine influenza is much more severe, as it is oftendangerous. Under no circumstances should you ever
associated with very high and threateninggive your dog an over the counter human cough
temperatures, coughs, as well as a nasal discharge.suppressant without very strict guidance by your
Canine influenza is also extremely contagious and isveterinarian.
spread by airborne viruses from an infected dogsIn most all cases, your dog will fully recover from this
respiratory secretions, almost exactly like it is spreadvirus. However, just like in humans, if your dog has
in humans. This virus can also be spread by directany other type of respiratory problem, or it develops
contact with an infected dog, or a contaminated toy,into pneumonia or a high fever, you dog may not
drinking device, or an eating bowel. However, it is sosurvive. There has been a vaccine developed, but it
contagious, that it can also be spread by humanswill not treat this virus. It may also not prevent it, but
that may have come in contact with the virus andit will usually decrease the severity of it. It will also
are carrying it on their hands, clothing, or their shoes.help in decreasing the amount of the virus that will be
This virus will remain infective for as long as 48 hoursspread by your dog into the environment.
on some objects. Infected dogs will have the highestHowever, unless your dog is in a high risk
probability of passing it in their secretions between 2neighborhood so to speak, it will usually not be
and 4 days once they are exposed. However, muchrecommended. It is important to remember that this
like human flu, they may not yet show any signs oris still a relatively new virus in the dog world and
symptoms yet that they are infected, but still maythere are still new discoveries occurring.
be able to spread the virus for up to 10 days.Summary:
Because it is so highly contagious, dogs that areCanine influenza is very real and does exist. In the
kenneled sheltered, or around a lot of dogs forvast majority of cases your dog will survive, but just
whatever reason, are much more prone to the virus.like the human flu, they can become very ill. Although
Symptoms:this virus is highly contagious to other dogs, to this
Canine influenza quickly separates itself form kenneldate, there have been no reported cases where it
cough by the variety of symptoms that it will showcan be transmitted to humans; at least not yet.