Lakeland Veterinary Hospital

The Only Veterinary Facility in North Central Minnesota With 24-Hour Staffing

~Canine Influenza~

Canine Influenza, also called Canine Flu, is a newly identified disease of dogs.  It can infect any breed of dog and appears in dogs to be similar symptoms to Canine Cough (also called Kennel Cough or Infectious Canine Tracheobronchitis).  However, early studies of Canine Influenza indicate that the disease has adapted in the dog from a common infection in horses.  It is a highly contagious and sometimes deadly canine flu that is spreading in kennels and at dog tracks around the country.  It has been reported in Greyhounds at tracks in Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Arizona, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Texas.

Currently there seems to be as much hysteria and misinformation about this emerging infection in dogs as hard scientific evidence.  Rumors of hundreds of dogs being affected in kennels across the country are unsubstantiated.  The best source of information about your local area regarding the facts about Canine Influenza will be your local veterinarian and your state's veterinary medical association.  The information presented on this page is meant to be strictly that... an update on recent information.  Your veterinarian must be consulted for proper diagnosis, patient evaluation, and individualized therapy for any disease or disorder your dog may have acquired.  There are a multitude of disorders and diseases that will cause a dog to cough and gag and hack.  That's why individual assessment for your dog is imperative to discern the true cause of the dog's difficulties.

How Is It Spread:  According to immunologist Dr. Cynda Crawford who is studying the virus at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, it spreads most easily where numbers of dogs are kept in close proximity but could also be passed "on the street" or in kennels.  It has been reported that kennel workers have carried the virus home with them and infected other dogs.  The fatality rate seems to be between 1 and 10 percent.  Since it is such a new disease of dogs, it is difficult to forecast about the spread of the disease, severity in individual dogs, and what future numbers of cases may be seen .  Dr. Crawford indicates about 80 percent of dogs that are exposed to the canine influenza virus will develop some signs of illness.  Because the dog population has such little natural immunity to this virus, potentially every dog exposed could be infected. 

Signs Of Canine Influenza:  The signs in an infected dog are similar to Bordetella bronchiseptica bacterial infection commonly called Kennel Cough, Canine Cough and Infectious Canine Tracheobronchitis. Coughing and gagging for up to three weeks is seen in Canine Cough and in the newly emerging canine disease Canine Influenza. Fevers as high as 106° can occur.  Increased signs of cough may be triggered by exercise or excitement.  Nasal discharge may be evident, as well.  The dog may act much quieter than usual or seem depressed and display a disinterest in its environment.

Treatment For Canine Influenza:  Keep in mind that viruses are not usually affected by antibiotics used against bacterial infections.  Although there are no antiviral drugs available for use in dogs, antibiotics may be needed due to secondary invasion of damaged lung tissues from opportunistic bacteria.  Fluid therapy for debilitated dogs could be required to give support to these patients while their own bodies create defensive immune factors to assist in warding off the infection.  Older dogs and young puppies may be at greatest risk for treatment failure.  X-rays may be needed to evaluate the severity of pneumonia.  In spite of vigorous in-hospital therapy, some dogs simply will not respond and will succumb to the disease.

Tests For Canine Influenza:
Veterinarians can send blood samples to a commercial veterinary laboratory.  Although this blood test is available, it requires two samples 2-3 weeks apart, which may provide a diagnosis, but not in time to be of value in treatment. Any dog that displays a persistent coughing, hacking or gagging should be evaluated by a veterinarian.  Coughing, hacking or gagging are actually non-specific signs and therefore cannot be used to identify any single cause.  Do not assume your dog has Canine Influenza just because it is showing signs of a respiratory disorder.  These signs may be due to a variety of disorders such as tonsillitis, fungal disease such as Blastomycosis, Congestive Heart Failure, Heartworms, tumors, infiltrative immune disorders of the bronchial structures, foreign body obstruction and other disorders.  A diagnostic workup may be needed to positively identify the cause of the dog's difficulty.  Ask your veterinarian about vaccinating your dog against the Bordetella organism that is associated with Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough), the common and familiar respiratory disorder affecting unprotected dogs.  Will a vaccine be developed for this new and emerging disease of dogs called Canine Influenza (Canine Flu)?  Scientists are already studying this disease and the chances of immunization being a reality are assured if this infection continues to spread.  Contact your veterinarian for more information.

Currently, we are unaware of any infections in our area, but as more information becomes available, we will update this website.

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