Dogs and Canine Influenza
Although dog flu seldom results in mortality, it can damage the lungs and create secondary bacterial pneumonia that may have an impact on how well the dog recovers. In most US states, canine influenza has been reported.
What Is the Canine Flu?
The flu virus that causes canine influenza is a member of the orthomyxovirus family. These viruses have a wide range of variations and are adaptable to various animal species, including birds. Canine influenza is a member of the type A influenza virus family. In the US, the canine influenza subtypes H3N8 and H3N2.1 have been found.
Influenza A virus usually stays within a particular species of animal, but occasionally modifications to the virus' genetic structure allow it to "jump" to different species.
This is probably what happened with the canine flu. The H3N8 subtype is thought to have originated in horses before moving into dogs in the late 1990s or early 2000s. The H3N2 dog flu, which first appeared in dogs in Asia in the early 2000s and may have originated through interaction with birds in live markets, was most likely caused by birds.
occasionally, different influenza types Although it happens infrequently, viruses from people, horses, pigs, and birds can infect dogs.
Dogs' Canine Influenza Symptoms
The symptoms of H3N8 canine influenza-infected dogs are often mild to moderate and can be mistaken for those of other respiratory disorders including infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough).
Dogs will experience decreased appetite, a runny nose, and a dry or damp cough. They might have low-grade fevers and be sluggish. Vomiting and diarrhea have been associated with the flu on occasion, but they are typically not present.
Dogs became severely ill and the death rate was high when the H3N2 canine flu type first arrived in Asia. Although dogs can sometimes experience severe illness and even death from this strain of the flu, it is no longer widespread. Most dogs exhibit mild to moderate respiratory disease symptoms, which are comparable to the H3N8 form.
Symptoms
Fever
Cough that is dry or wet
Sneezing
eye and nasal discharge
a diminished appetite
Lethargy
Fever
Dogs may experience a mild temperature. A dog's normal body temperature lies between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures above 103 degrees Fahrenheit are indicative of a fever. Although most dogs have low fevers, a dog with canine flu may also have a bacterial infection in its lungs if they have a high fever.
Cough, Dry or Moist
Even when the dog is apparently feeling better, it can have a dry or damp cough that lasts up to three weeks.
Sneezing
Sneezing is a typical sign of an upper respiratory infection and frequently occurs in conjunction with discharge from the eyes and nose.
Eye and Nasal Discharge
Dogs' eyes and nasal discharge can be either clear or colored. The dog may have a secondary bacterial infection that requires treatment if the discharge changes color and turns yellow, white, or green.
a diminished appetite
Because they don't feel well, have trouble breathing, and aren't motivated by the smell of their food, dogs that have a fever, nasal and upper respiratory congestion, or a cough may occasionally lose their appetite.
It helps to provide them food that has a strong aroma and to frequently add water to their meal so they can eat it.
Lethargy
Many dogs may feel lethargic and not want to move much while they are experiencing the symptoms of a fever and a respiratory ailment since these conditions cause the body to feel achy and exhausted. A dog with a lessened appetite also consumes less food, which results in less energy.
Canine influenza causes
A virus that causes canine influenza spreads between dogs by airborne droplets.
When a dog with canine influenza coughs or sneezes close to another dog while they are nearby, such as in a boarding facility or shelter, the other dog may inhale the droplets and catch the illness as well. If proper hygiene and disinfection practices aren't followed, people can contract the virus if it survives on surfaces for up to two days, on clothing for 24 hours, and on hands for 12 hours.
The virus spreads in this manner from dog to dog, eventually infecting and sickening a large number of canines. Therefore, this is seen as an outbreak. Canine influenza is extremely contagious.
Recent outbreaks have been reported in Texas, California, Florida, Indiana, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York in the United States. Every state, with the exception of North Dakota and Nebraska, has seen canine influenza at some point.
How to Spot a Dog with Canine Influenza
The best course of action is to see a veterinarian as soon as possible if your dog is sneezing, coughing, or displaying other signs of a respiratory infection.
Before taking your dog to the premises, make sure to let the veterinarian's office know about your dog's symptoms. They might have a separate location to segregate potentially contagious animals.
In addition to performing a physical examination, your veterinarian will question you regarding your dog's recent whereabouts and whether or not there has been any close contact with other dogs.
Using a swab of the dog's nasal or upper respiratory passages, canine influenza can be identified. Although this is a brief, minimally invasive treatment, the dog may experience discomfort because the swab must be put very high up the nose. Your veterinarian will send the sample to a lab for analysis after obtaining it.
The polymerase chain reaction test, which is able to identify the genetic makeup of particular viruses, is the most trustworthy method for diagnosing canine influenza. There are further tests that can be used, such as those that isolate viruses and check for canine influenza antibodies.
Treatment
To aid the dog's immune system in battling the infection and recovering, the primary form of treatment is supportive care.
Supportive care entails preserving a healthy diet and level of hydration, minimizing stress, and keeping the dog's living quarters tidy. Dehydration, pneumonia, and other ailments like bacterial infections are also addressed. Giving the dog fluids and drugs to treat the relevant conditions may be necessary as a result.
Dogs with Canine Influenza: Prognosis
Canine influenza often affects dogs in a mild manner, and they bounce back quickly, but it could take a few weeks for their cough to go gone.
Extreme disease and mortality are more likely in dogs who are very young, very elderly, have underlying conditions, or have their immune systems inhibited. While dogs with pneumonia and additional bacterial infections can recover with vigorous therapy, their prognosis is worse.
How to Avoid Dog Influenza
There are vaccines for the H3N8 and H3N2 viruses, and they can be administered together. Not all canines, nevertheless, require these vaccinations.
Dogs who are exposed to the canine flu frequently, such as those that board, kennel, get groomed, or are in shelters, should have the immunization. If you're unsure whether your dog needs the vaccine or is at risk for canine influenza, consult your veterinarian.
Canine influenza: Is it Transferable to Other Animals?
There is no evidence that the H3N8 canine influenza strain can infect any other species of animal. The virus no longer appears to be able to infect horses and cause illness, despite the fact that the strain was originally found in horses.
It's crucial to keep a dog with canine influenza away from any indoor cats since the H3N2 strain can infect and sicken cats.
Dogs with canine influenza symptoms or those who have come into contact with sick dogs should be kept in isolation from other animals until they are well. It's crucial to practice good sanitation and cleanliness to prevent the virus from infecting other animals.
Is It Spreadable to People?
There is no proof that canine influenza can spread to humans, and there are no known instances of this happening.
