Influenza A viruses have infected many different animals, including:
- Ducks
- Chickens
- Pigs
- Whales
- Horses
- Seals.
However, certain subtypes of influenza A virus are specific to certain species, except for birds, which are hosts to all known subtypes of influenza A. Influenza A viruses normally seen in one species sometimes can cross over and cause illness in another species. Most recently, this occurred when H3N8 viruses from horses crossed over and caused outbreaks in canines. This is known as canine flu or dog flu.
Initially, the canine
flu virus was identified in racing greyhounds, and there was some speculation that the virus was exclusively causing disease in this breed. However, canine flu has now been confirmed in the domestic canine population in general, first in the state of Florida, and then in other states. There has never been a documented case of human infection with this virus.
Dogs can become infected with the canine flu virus and show no canine
flu symptoms. In other cases of the canine flu, symptoms can be severe. The canine flu virus can cause a respiratory disease that mimics a syndrome called kennel cough.
Common symptoms of canine flu include:
- Cough
- Nasal discharge
- Fever.
About 80 percent of dogs with canine flu will have a mild form of the disease, characterized by cough, and maybe some nasal discharge, that will resolve over time with appropriate treatment. Only a minority of dogs with canine flu experience more severe complications, such as pneumonia. Just like the humans infected with
influenza, certain populations of canines are more like to develop canine
flu complications. Death is a rare complication of canine flu.
Canine Flu: Suggestions for Owners
At this point, canine flu has occurred in a small number of states, including Florida, New York, and Massachusetts. It is important to take a commonsense approach regarding canine flu. If your dog is showing any signs of a respiratory illness, you should get advice from your veterinarian. Suggestions for canine owners include:
- If you take your dog to a veterinarian, tell him or her whether your dog has been at a boarding kennel recently
- If you take your dog to a boarding kennel, use one that is well known to you
- Continue to be alert to pronouncements that are released in terms of any canine flu outbreaks that are occurring in your area.
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