Canine Influenza: A Brief Look at What Pet Owners Should Know

The canine influenza virus made big headlines last summer as it reached almost epidemic proportions in Chicago. This was the first time the United States had experienced a new strain of the virus and it seemed to spread very quickly. Recently, central Illinois has seen the virus resurface. So what should pet owners do to help keep their furry friends safe? 

At the first sign of these symptoms, you should call your veterinary clinic. (Image Source)

It is important to remember that the influenza virus is spread through coughing and sneezing. Many dogs will shed this virus before they are even symptomatic themselves. This is why such a large number of pets can be affected so quickly. In the mild form of influenza a dog may have a cough lasting from 10 to 30 days. If the condition progresses it can lead to a serious pneumonia which may require hospitalization. The vast majority of pets will recover, however there have been some reports of pets passing away. These cases are rare and usually limited to the very old or your, or those with chronic conditions. However at the first sign of coughing, lethargy or decrease in appetite it is best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian. 

Influenza is very easily spread, so veterinary staff needs to take extra precautions during an outbreak. (Image Source)

Remember this is a virus, so unless there is a secondary bacterial component, antibiotics will typically not be helpful. Most of the time treatment is supportive care. This means making sure the pet stays hydrated and combating the fever. If there is a bacterial component then antibiotics will be prescribed to help your pet. 

Since this virus can spread quickly, it is best to keep your dog away from other pets until the outbreak has subsided. (Image Source)

If there is a known outbreak in your area, there are several ways to help keep your pet safe. One of the best options is to keep them home whenever possible. While your dog may love the dog park, or getting groomed, boarding, etc. if the influenza virus is circulating the best thing you can do is keep your pet away from other animals until the virus has been contained. We are also fortunate to have vaccinations for the two most common strains of the virus. These are the H3N8 strain and the more recent  H3N2 strain. Typically if your pet has not received these vaccines before, they will need to receive an initial dose and booster that 2-4 weeks later. After that this series, they can become yearly vaccinations. Unfortunately, there is not currently a combo vaccination containing both strains so these are two different shots, but seem to provide good coverage for the most common strains seen in the United States. As with the any virus though, it is possible for new strains to develop, so we still recommend monitoring pets closely for symptoms of influenza, even if they are vaccinated. 

We all want to keep our pets happy and healthy. If your pet frequently visits dog parks, boarding facilities or day cares, it is a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about what vaccines are right for them!

With the outbreak in Central Illinois, there has been a lot of information available to pet owners regarding Canine Influenza. There are several good websites here and here that contain excellent information for pet owners. As always, if you have any concerns it is best to contact your veterinarian.