Health Alert: Canine Influenza - “Dog Flu” Sweeps Chicago
Canine Influenza, also known as the “dog flu” has once again popped up - this time in the city of Chicago. The illness is to believed to have originated in racing Greyhounds about 4 years ago. Cases of the illness occur ed in 26 states across the US in the past, Illinois is now the 27th. What this means is that this “epidemic” will probably not be the last we see of this disease this summer.
What you should know:
While the disease is highly contagious, it is quite treatable.
Symptoms of Canine Influenza Include:
* A hacking cough
* lethargy
* Vomiting phlegm
* Coughing up a “foamy” substance
The disease is often confused with Bordetella (Kennel Cough). Determining if a dog has Canine Influenza can be done via blood testing. Most dogs have not been exposed to this virus (since it is a new strain) thus they will become sick if they are come into contact with an infected dog. (Since they do not have resistance to the disease). They will remain contagious for 7-10 days, though symptoms can persist for up to 3 weeks.
Photo by petgreetings
Treatment:
Antibiotics are used to prevent secondary infections such as Pneumonia as well as supportive care if needed.
Prevention:
There currently is no vaccine for Canine Influenza. If your dog has a cough you should keep him at home and not expose him to other dogs (daycare, boarding, grooming salon, dog park, etc) to prevent the spread of this illness.
As more incidences of “Dog Flu” occur, more research will be compiled on this illness. For now, owners must depend on blood work (along with symptoms) to distinguish if their animal is in fact infected.
Dr Edward Dubovi, the director of Virology at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University says, “As influenza moves through dog populations, there is the potential for it to mutate, and we don’t know which way it could go,” he said. “It could become less of a problem and disappear or become more serious. Nature is directing which way this is going; we’re only trying to catch up and monitor what’s going on.”
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June 29th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Sounds like it’s not too serious, just like the flus humans get.