Canine Flu

About the Canine Flu and exposure:

The Canine Flu is a newly-emerging disease. All dogs (no dogs are being ruled out at this time) are susceptible to the infection. While most dogs that contract the disease experience what is regarded as a milder form of the canine flu, some develop a more acute disease with clinical signs of pneumonia. The current mortality rate is between 1 and 5 percent and of those exposed 80% will contract the virus. There is no vaccination for the Canine Flu at this time, while professionals are working on it.

This disease is not as deadly as people want to make it. Although it's a new pathogen in dogs and nearly all dogs are susceptible to infection based on our knowledge about the virus to date, about 80 percent of them will have a mild form of disease, just characterized by cough and maybe some nasal discharge that will resolve over time with appropriate therapy.

Only a minority of dogs, a small number of dogs, experience complications such as pneumonia, just like the humans infected with influenza, certain populations of humans are more prone to development of pneumonia. And it's a small number of humans compared to everyone else. So that is the same with canine influenza virus. It's a small population of dogs that will develop complications, most likely bacterial complications and these dogs do need to be--have their treatment supervised by a veterinarian.

Where the Canine Flu came from:

The Canine Flu is caused by a virus and recently has been identified by the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine researchers and has been responsible for severe respiratory disease outbreaks in the past year among racing greyhounds in Florida and other states. This virus is a result of an “Avian Flu”. It has jumped species by feeding greyhounds raw horse meat, which was infected with horse influenza. Horse influenza is avian flu, which jumped species from birds (avian flu), to horses (horse influenza). The avian flu has now moved to racing greyhounds and domestic dogs and the indications are that there may be a potential problem for humans.

Symptoms:

The Canine Flu mimics “kennel cough” with the exception of a nasal discharge (the Canine Flu’ symptoms are much more severe than kennel cough). The State Veterinarian’s Office, which is a division of Bronson’s department, recommends consulting with a veterinarian if the dog experiences severe symptoms or fails to respond to normal “kennel cough” therapy, which generally involves antibiotics.

Clinical Signs:

In mild form:

• A cough that persists for 10 to 21 days
• Nasal discharge
• Low grade fever

In sever form:

• Pneumonia
• High fever (104-106 F)
• Respiratory difficulties

The incubation period is two to five days and dogs may shed virus for seven to 10 days. The disease can spread rapidly throughout a boarding kennel. Dogs that are coughing SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT TO SHOWS or Performance EVENTS and should be quarantined from ALL other dogs. Common sense is a good term to use in that dog owners who have a dog with a respiratory infection or that has just recovered from a respiratory infection should probably keep the dog at home until a couple of weeks have elapsed, number one, for that dog to recover fully, and number two, in case that dog has an infectious disease, whether it's flu or not, that could be communicable to other dogs that it is around.

How to treat the Canine Flu?

There are no antibiotics your Vet can provide that will kill the virus. Your Vet can give your dog and antibiotic if pneumonia develops. The virus can last for several weeks.

Amber Technology has developed a product for the Canine Flu. Using Pet’s Cough & Cold Formula may give your dog a better chance in recovering. In most cases dogs recover quickly.

If you are not sure your dog has Canine Flu or Kennel-Koff purchase Amber Technology’s Kennel-Koff and Pet’s Cough and Cold to cover both situations. The Kennel-Koff is an antibiotic and Pet’s Cough & Cold is a cough suppressant. They work nicely together.