Canine Flu Info

From: [email protected]
Subject: [VETPET] canine flu updates ...

ADVISORY (especially for elderly and infirm dogs):

Don't board your dogs.
Don't take your dogs to the groomer.
Stay out of dog parks.
Stay away from other dogs at veterinary offices (virus is airborne, avoid
waiting room, keep dog in your car until it's your turn)

Highly contagious dog flu spreads at kennels, racetracks
Unrelated to human or bird strains, virus may have mutated from horse pathogen
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...TL&type=health

Canine flu spreads to NJ
http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...509230479/1001

A new strain of influenza that began infecting dogs in Florida early last year
has recently struck hard in the Westchester area.

Canine flu likely to spread, vet warns
http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/sep05/358155.asp

Dogs cough, and owners worry
http://select.nytimes.com/mem/tnt.ht...ml&tntemail0=y

CANINE INFLUENZA VIRUS FACT SHEET
Univ. of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Public Relations Office

SITUATION : University of Florida researchers report that outbreaks of canine
influenza virus, which causes an acute respiratory infection, have been
identified in dogs in shelters, humane societies, boarding facilities and
veterinary clinics in Florida , predominantly in Broward, Dade, Palm Beach and
Duval counties.

This highly contagious virus is a newly emerging respiratory pathogen in dogs
and causes a clinical syndrome that mimics "kennel cough." Canine influenza
virus infections are frequently mistaken for infections due to the Bordetella
bronchiseptica/ parainfluenza virus complex .

CLINICAL SIGNS : Because this is a newly emerging pathogen, all dogs,
regardless of breed or age, are susceptible to infection and have no naturally
acquired or vaccine-induced immunity. Virtually 100 percent of exposed dogs
become infected. Nearly 80 percent have clinical signs. There are two general
clinical syndromes - the milder syndrome and a more severe pneumonia syndrome.
The milder disease syndrome occurs in most dogs.

In the milder disease, the most common clinical sign is a cough that persists
for 10 to 21 days despite therapy with antibiotics and cough suppressants.
Most dogs have a soft, moist cough, while others have a dry cough similar to
that induced by Bordetella bronchiseptica/ parainfluenza virus infection. Many
dogs have purulent nasal discharge and a low-grade fever. The nasal discharge
likely represents a secondary bacterial infection that quickly resolves with
treatment with a broad-spectrum, bactericidal antibiotic.

Some dogs develop a more severe disease with clinical signs of pneumonia, such
as a high fever (104 0 F to 106 0 F) and increased respiratory rate and
effort. Thoracic radiographs may show consolidation of lung lobes. Dogs with
pneumonia often have a secondary bacterial infection and have responded best
to a combination of broad-spectrum, bactericidal antibiotics and maintenance
of hydration with intravenous fluid therapy.

FATALITY RATE : Fatal cases of pneumonia have been documented, but the
fatality rate so far is low, at 1 percent to 5 percent.

INCUBATION/SHEDDING PERIOD: The incubation period is two to five days after
exposure before clinical signs appear. Infected dogs may shed virus for seven
to 10 days from the initial day of clinical signs. Nearly 20 percent of
infected dogs will not display clinical signs and become the silent shedders
and spreaders of the infection.

DIAGNOSIS : There is no rapid, real-time test for diagnosis of dogs with an
acute influenza virus infection. Current diagnostic tests rely on detection of
antibodies to canine influenza virus, which are detected as early as seven
days after onset of clinical signs. Paired acute and convalescent serum
samples are necessary for diagnosis of recent infection. The convalescent
sample is collected at least two weeks after the acute sample. There are many
situations in which collection of an acute sample is not feasible. In this
case, testing of a convalescent sample will indicate whether the dog was
infected at some time in the past. Serology tests not only indicate if a dog
was infected, but also serve to alert veterinarians that the virus is present
in their community so they can take precautions with dogs presenting for
"kennel cough."

In addition to serology, the lungs and distal trachea from dogs that died of
pneumonia can be tested for influenza virus by PCR analysis and virus culture.

PREVENTION : There is no vaccine for canine influenza virus at this time. This
virus is spread by aerosolized respiratory secretions, contaminated inanimate
objects and even by people moving back and forth between infected and
uninfected dogs. This is an enveloped virus that is most likely killed by
routine disinfectants, such as quaternary ammoniums and 10 percent bleach.
Because the virus is highly contagious and all dogs are susceptible to
infection, veterinarians, boarding facilities, shelters and pet stores should
use isolation protocols for dogs that have a "kennel cough."

WHAT VETERINARIANS CAN DO: Veterinarians can submit serum samples for canine
influenza antibody titers. Paired acute and convalescent samples are
preferable for confirmation of infection, while single samples collected after
seven days of clinical disease are also useful. In addition to determining
infection, these samples will contribute toward virus surveillance in Florida
. Currently, there is no fee for this testing. The turnaround time for results
is less than two weeks. Please see the "Serum Collection and Shipping" form
for further instructions.

Veterinarians may also submit fresh (no formalin or freezing) lung and
tracheal tissues from dogs that die from pneumonia. Canine influenza virus
culture and PCR analysis will be performed on these tissues. Virus recovered
from these samples will greatly contribute toward development of vaccines and
diagnostic tests. If you have samples for submission, please contact Dr. Cynda
Crawford for instructions on handling of the tissues via phone (352) 392-4700,
ext. 5731; fax (352) 392-6125; or e-mail