Canine Influenza A Potential Problem

We all remember West Nile, a virus passed to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes. Because this disease was new to the human population, we did not have antibodies for it. Some people caught the virus and never knew it as their bodies could handle it; others became mildly ill, and a few people who caught the virus became quite sick. A handful of people died from this disease.

Well, it is now the turn of our canine companions to go through the same process. Canine influenza is spreading throughout the U.S., and although some dogs that contract the virus show few symptoms, other dogs can become extremely sick very quickly and can die within the span of a few short days after exposure to this virus.

First documented in Florida in 2001, the virus quickly spread throughout the southern tier states, along the east coast, and through to west coast states. By 2009, veterinarians had documented confirmed cases of this influenza in 30 states, and today, 38 states have documented cases of canine influenza. Although to date Montana, North and South Dakota, and Nebraska have had no confirmed cases in dogs, Idaho and Wyoming do have documented cases of canine influenza, which means it is only a matter of time before the virus reaches the MonDak region.

Dr. Jessica Waldock, High Plains Veterinary Clinic DVM, Sidney, explains that this is a new viral disease for dogs and that those people who plan to take dogs with them out of state, or who board their dogs frequently, need to consider vaccination as a means of protecting their animal friends. “Canine influenza is an upper respiratory disease,” she says. “Dogs cough, similar to a kennel cough; they may be lethargic, depressed, have no appetite, and may initially have a high fever. This is a new disease, so dogs have no antibiotic response to it and it can hit dogs hard. The influenza travels quickly, but so far is mainly prevalent in the south, in kennels, racing areas and boarding facilities. If you plan to take your dog into any of these areas, you should vaccinate the animal and give it a booster prior to leaving, and then vaccinate annually. Even if you just plan to board your dog, ideally it should still have the vaccination.”

She adds, “Some dogs that catch this influenza will be fine, while others will get very sick.”

If a dog becomes ill with canine influenza, it must be quarantined from other dogs for a two-week period. “Incubation is generally two to four days,” Waldock comments. “After resolution of the virus, it can still take up to ten days for a dog to shed the virus, so the animal needs to be isolated for a two-week period.”

Waldock advises that vaccination does not ensure that a dog will not get the influenza. Rather, vaccination helps the dog fight the virus. “Vaccination does not prevent canine influenza,” she remarks. “It is not a treatment; it is supportive care and decreases the clinical symptoms.”

Waldock recommends that anyone who notices their dog coughing or exhibiting other upper respiratory problems should contact a veterinarian immediately. “Come in and visit your veterinarian if your dog shows signs of upper respiratory distress,” Waldock says. “We also recommend that you vaccinate your dog if you plan to board it, take it out of state, or if it comes into frequent contact with other dogs.”