Governor Animal Clinic has been issued a news release
from the County of San Diego, October 5, 2005;

County Vet office monitors for canine influenza……..working with local veterinarians.

Due to a number of calls from concerned residents, the County Veterinarian’s office wants to reassure dog owners that canine influenza has a low mortality rate and it has not yet been detected in San Diego County.

Canine influenza, or “dog flu”, is an emerging viral disease that causes respiratory infection in dogs.  Most dogs with canine influenza develop mild symptoms similar to the common dog disease “kennel cough”.  Symptoms may include coughing, nasal discharge and mild fever that last for 10-21 days. 
The virus is spread by respiratory secretions, contaminated inanimate objects, (food/water bowls, toys, etc.) and by people moving back and forth between infected and uninfected dogs. 
There is no vaccine for canine influenza.

Do not take a coughing dog to locations where it may have contact with other dogs.  Also, wash your hands after handling any sick dog before touching a healthy dog.

Here’s what disease experts at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine suggest dog owners and veterinarians need to know;

What’s the history of canine influenza?
Canine influenza is most likely related to the influenza A viruses that affect horses, the
H3/N8 subtype. The horse influenza virus was first discovered in 1956. At some point,
the virus mutated and the new strain made the leap from horses to dogs.
The first significant natural canine influenza outbreak was diagnosed initially in 2003 at
Greyhound racetracks in Florida.

What are my dog’s chances of getting this disease?
All dogs are at risk. There is no vaccine for canine influenza. All dogs are susceptible to
infection by the virus and no dogs are immune. The good news is most dogs diagnosed
with canine influenza experience a mild form of the disease.
The fatality rate is very low for canine influenza. Even including the most serious infections, the rate is between one and five percent of dogs infected will die. Getting your family veterinarian involved early and providing good supportive care is the best medicine for your pet.

Highly contagious, this virus can cause an acute respiratory infection.  Because canine influenza is a newly-emerging disease, all dogs, regardless of breed or age, are susceptible to infection and have no naturally-acquired or vaccine-induced immunity.  Researchers at the University of Florida and Cornell University are working on developing a vaccine against Canine Influenza

Clinical Signs; There are two general clinical syndromes – a mild syndrome and a more severe pneumonia syndrome. Most dogs will experience the mild syndrome, with signs similar to “kennel cough,” such as a cough that persists for 10 to 21 days despite therapy with antibiotics and cough suppressants. Dogs may also have nasal discharge and a low-grade fever.
Dogs that develop a more severe pneumonia syndrome may have a high-grade fever and increased respiratory rate and effort.
Incubation/Shedding Period; Clinical signs may appear two to five days after exposure and infected dogs may shed the virus for seven to 10 days after the first day they exhibit clinical signs. About 20 percent of infected dogs will not show clinical signs but are still able to spread the infection. Asymptomatic dogs will make containment of this infection difficult.  Typically, dogs are only contagious for the first 7-10 days of illness.

There are no known cases of the canine flu infecting humans.

*A veterinarian in Inglewood, CA reported four confirmed cases of canine influenza during the first week of October.  All four dogs had been at a single boarding facility at various times in August.  Two of the dogs developed pneumonia, while the other two had milder symptoms (cough, sneezing).  One of the dogs died shortly after becoming ill.  These are the first reported cases of canine influenza in California.

Governor Animal Clinic closely follows guidelines for disease control and monitoring.  We have a well stocked isolation ward, a strict policy regarding contaminant containment, and regular training sessions with all employees involved with sick pets that are hospitalized in our isolation ward.
 
There is a great deal of hysteria, rumors, confusion and misinformation being passed around regarding the “dog flu“   We will keep you posted with information we receive from the Department of Agriculture, Office of the County Veterinarian (San Diego County Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory), Washington State, Cornell University the University of Florida, and any other confirmed, legitimate breaking news.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call our office for assistance.