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"Canine Flu" 

Some of you may have recently become aware of a potential outbreak of “Canine Influenza” or “The Dog Flu”. We have received many phone calls and had many inquiries from our concerned dog owners regarding this new disease.  We are currently offering the canine influenza vaccine to the “at risk” pets, (boarding, grooming, visits to the doggie park, any dog that is going to be interacting with other dogs outside their normal environment). This vaccine requires two boosters, the first initial vaccine with the next booster to follow, two – four weeks apart, then annually thereafter. Below, we have attached the information from the CDC that may help you determine whether your pet is a candidate for this vaccine. Please feel free to call our office if you have further questions.

Thank you,

 From the staff of Southlake Crossing Animal Clinic

 

Below, you will find the information from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control):

Key Facts about Canine Influenza (Dog Flu)

Questions & Answers

What is canine influenza (dog flu)?

Dog flu is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by a specific Type A influenza virus referred to as a “canine influenza virus.” This is a disease of dogs, not of humans.

What is a canine influenza virus?

The “canine influenza virus” is an influenza A H3N8 influenza virus (not a human influenza virus) that was originally an equine (horse) influenza virus. This virus has spread to dogs and can now spread between dogs.

How long has canine influenza been around?

The H3N8 equine influenza virus has been known to exist in horses for more than 40 years. In 2004, however, cases of an unknown respiratory illness in dogs (initially greyhounds) were reported. An investigation showed that this respiratory illness was caused by the equine influenza A H3N8 virus. Scientists believe that this virus jumped species (from horses to dogs) and has now adapted to cause illness in dogs and spread efficiently among dogs. This is now considered a new dog-specific lineage of H3N8. In September of 2005, this virus was identified by experts as “a newly emerging pathogen in the dog population” in the United States.

What are the symptoms of this infection in dogs?

The symptoms of this illness in dogs are cough, runny nose and fever, however, a small proportion of dogs can develop severe disease.

How serious is this infection in dogs?

The number of dogs infected with this disease that die is very small. Some dogs have asymptomatic infections (no symptoms), while some have severe infections. Severe illness is characterized by the onset of pneumonia. Although this is a relatively new cause of disease in dogs and nearly all dogs are susceptible to infection, about 80 percent of dogs will have a mild form of disease.

How does dog flu spread?

Canine influenza virus can be spread by direct contact with respiratory secretions from infected dogs, by contact with contaminated objects, and by people moving between infected and uninfected dogs. Therefore, dog owners whose dogs are coughing or showing other signs of respiratory disease should not participate in activities or bring their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to the virus. Clothing, equipment, surfaces, and hands should be cleaned and disinfected after exposure to dogs showing signs of respiratory disease.

Is there a test for canine influenza?

Testing to confirm canine influenza virus infection is available at veterinary diagnostic centers. The tests can be performed using respiratory secretions collected at the time of disease onset or using two blood samples; the first collected while the animal is sick and the second 2 to 3 weeks later.

How is canine influenza treated?

Treatment largely consists of supportive care. This helps the dog mount an immune response. In the milder form of the disease, this care may include medication to make your dog more comfortable and fluids to ensure that your dog remains well-hydrated. Broad spectrum antibiotics may be prescribed by your veterinarian if a secondary bacterial infection is suspected.

Is there a vaccine for canine influenza?

Yes, an approved vaccine is available.

What is the risk to humans from this virus?

To date, there is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza virus from dogs to people and there has not been a single reported case of human infection with the canine influenza virus. While this virus infects dogs and spreads between dogs, there is no evidence that this virus infects humans.

However, human infections with new influenza viruses (against which the human population has little immunity) would be concerning if they occurred. Influenza viruses are constantly changing and it is possible for a virus to change so that it could infect humans and spread easily between humans. Such a virus could represent a pandemic influenza threat. For this reason, CDC and its partners are monitoring the H3N8 influenza virus (as well as other animal influenza viruses) along with instances of possible human exposure to these viruses very closely. In general, however, canine influenza viruses are considered to pose a low threat to humans. As mentioned earlier, while these viruses are well established in horse and dog populations, there is no evidence of infection among humans with this virus.

My dog has a cough what should I do?

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian so that they can evaluate your dog and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.

Where can I find more information on canine influenza virus?

More information on canine influenza in pet dogs can be found in this article: Influenza A Virus (H3N8) in Dogs with Respiratory Disease, Florida in Emerging Infectious Diseases journal.

 

http:www.cdc.gov/flu/canine 

 

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease of dogs and other mammals that primarily affects the liver and kidneys. There are many species of serovars of leptoaspira and the usual serovars that affect dogs are Leptospira canicola and Leptospira Icterohemorrhaiae. In recent years, other species have become important in some areas. These include L. Pomona, L. grippotyphosa, L. Australis, and L. Bratislava. There are other serovars that may infect dogs without apparently causing any signs or disease.

How do people and animals get Leptospirosois?

The bacteria are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. Humans and animals can become infected through contact with this contaminated urine (or other body fluids, except saliva), water or soil. The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection. Infected wild or domestic animals may continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment continuously or intermittently for a few months up to several years.

If your pet has become infected, it has most likely come into contact with leptospires in the environment or infected animals. Your pet may have been drinking, swimming, or walking through contaminated water. Because of increased building and development into areas that were previously rural, pets may be exposed to more wildlife, such as raccoons, skunks, opossums, or deer that are infected with leptospirosis. Dogs also may pass the disease to each other, but this happens very rarely.

What pet animals get Leptospirosis?

All animals can potentially become infected with leptospires, although cases of Leptosriposis in cats are rare.

What are the signs of Leptospirosis in pets?

The clinical signs of Leptospirosis vary and are nonspecific. Sometimes pets do not display any symptoms. Common clinical signs reported in dogs include, fever, adnominal pain, diarrhea, refusal to eat, severe weakness and depression, jaundice, stiffness, severe muscle pain, or inability to have puppies. Generally younger animals are more seriously infected than older animals.

What should I do if I think my pet has Leptospirosis?

Contact your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian can perform tests to detect the presence of leptospiral antibodies or organism in your pet.

Is there treatment for Leptospirosis in pet animals?

Yes, Leptospirosis is treatable with antibiotics. If an animal is treated early, it may recover more rapidly and any organ damage may be less severe. Other treatment methods, such as dialysis and hydration therapy may be required.

The time between exposure to the bacteria and development of disease is usually 5 to 14 days, but can be as short as a few days or as long as 30 days or more.

What should I do if I’ve been told my pet has Leptospirosis?

If your pet has been confirmed by your veterinarian as having leptospirosis, the appropriate action to take will depend on the nature of contact with your pet. Normal daily activities with you pet will not put you at high risk for leptospirosis infection. Types of contacts that are considered to be at high risk include direct or indirect contact with urine, blood, and tissues of your pet during its infection. Assisting in the delivery of newborns from an infected animal is also considered a high risk activity for transmission of Leptospirosis.

If you have had these types of high risk contacts with your pet during the time of its infection, inform your physician. If common symptoms, such as fever, muscle aches, and headaches, occur within 3 weeks after a high risk exposure, see your physician. Tests can be performed to see if you have this disease.

How can I protect myself and other people when my pet has Leptospirosis?

The risk of getting leptospirosis from a dog in standard instances is low. The primary mode of transmission of leptospirosis from pets to humans is through direst contact with contaminated animal tissues, organs, or urine. Always contact your veterinarian and your physician if you have concerns about possible exposure to an infected animal.

• Do not handle or come in contact with urine, blood, or tissues from your infected pet before it has received proper treatment.

• If you need to have contact with animal tissues or urine, wear protective clothing, such as gloves and boots, especially if you are occupationally at risk (veterinarians, farm workers, and sewer workers).

• As a general rule, always wash your hands after handling your pet or anything that might have your pet’s excrement on it.

• If you are cleaning surfaces that may be contaminated or have urine from an infected pet on them, use an antibacterial cleaning solution or a solution of 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water.Make sure your infected pet takes all its medicine and follow up with your veterinarian.

   

How can I prevent leptospirosis in my pet?

• Keep rodent problems (rats, mice, or other animal pests) under control. Rodents can carry and spread the bacteria.

• Get your pet vaccinated against leptospirosis. The vaccine does not provide 100% protection. This is because there are many strains (types) of leptospires, and the vaccine does not provide immunity against all strains. It is important to get your pet vaccinated again even if it gets leptospirosis because it can still get infected with a different strain of leptospires.

 

This information was provided to you from the cdc.gov website.
We are seeing an increase of pets that are testing positive for this disease and after reading this information, you may have a better understanding why we are recommending this vaccine to all our patients, and requiring it for all our grooming and boarding pets.