Canine Influenza

Cause and Transmission of Canine Flu

Canine flu is caused by the influenza virus A subtype H3N8. It's very contagious and spreads through the air when dogs cough or sneeze. It's very common and easily spread among dogs who share close quarters, such as those in kennels or shelters. Canine influenza has emerged as a disease quite recently, so all dogs are susceptible to it. No dog, except those who have already survived an infection, has a natural immunity to this illness and a vaccine does not yet exist.

Dogs who don't spend time in close quarters with other, strange dogs are at low risk for contracting dog flu. The disease has not yet reached every part of the United States, but it has been reported in the deep South, the Midwest and both the East and West Coasts.

Symptoms of Canine Influenza

Canine influenza is very contagious, but as many as 50% of dogs will contract this disease and fight off the infection without developing any symptoms. The symptoms of canine influenza closely resemble the symptoms of a number of other dog respiratory diseases, including kennel cough. Coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge and lethargy are all symptoms of dog flu. Your dog may also experience joint pain and fever.

Canine influenza is very contagious, so don't allow your dog to have any contact with other dogs who are coughing or sneezing. If your dog is coughing or sneezing, isolate it from other dogs until it recovers.

Diagnosing and Treating Canine Flu

There's no diagnostic test to identify canine influenza infection. Your vet may take chest X-rays to determine the extent of congestion and the severity of your dog's respiratory infection.

Treatment for canine influenza involves relieving the symptoms, since there's no cure for the disease. Cool water baths can help keep your dog's fever down. If your dog has developed any secondary lung infections, such as bacterial pneumonia, he may need antibiotics.

Your vet may prescribe oseltamivir, an antiviral used in human medication; if administered early in the course of your dog's influenza infection, oseltamivir can help to reduce symptoms. It may also prevent infection in dogs who have been exposed to the canine influenza virus.

With treatment, most dogs recover within 10 to 30 days. Young puppies and geriatric dogs are at risk of death from canine influenza infection. Likewise, those dogs who develop secondary bacterial pneumonia infections are at increased risk of death from canine influenza. These dogs may need to be hospitalized and kept on IV fluids and other supportive therapy.

Most dogs recover from canine flu and can subsequently enjoy an immunity period of at least two years. The morality rate for this illness is between five and eight percent.