Canine influenza is on the rise in the United States, causing outbreaks in doggy daycare centers, kennels and animal shelters in a handful of states. The Washington Post spoke to veterinarians about the illness, the symptoms and what to do to protect your pup this holiday season.
Dec. 9, 2022 – Flu season is a problem for more than humans. Veterinarians, animal shelters, and kennels are reporting outbreaks of canine flu in spots across the United States.
Canine Influenza Virus Is Spreading In The U.S. With Outbreaks Among Dogs.
Whether they live in or outside of Michigan, Dodd said, dog owners should take this outbreak as a reminder to keep their dogs up to date on their immunizations. “We do not want people to panic over this,” she said. “Parvovirus is something that we see on a regular basis in unvaccinated dogs.”
Canine influenza, or dog flu, is an influenza A virus that has adapted to dogs. There are two subtypes, H3N8 and H3N2, which have been the predominant strain in the United States since 2015.
There is no cure for dog flu. Treatment is supportive, and your veterinarian can advise you on the best ways to keep your dog comfortable during his illness and recovery. Some dogs may require supportive care, such as fluids, to aid their recovery, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce fevers.
Mystery Virus Killing Dogs in Michigan Confirmed to Be Parvo.
Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.
An illness that has sickened dogs in northern Michigan, killing some of them, is confirmed to be canine parvovirus, a common ailment that the affected dogs were not fully vaccinated against, state officials said.
Most dogs recover within 2 to 3 weeks. However, some dogs may develop secondary bacterial infections which may lead to more severe illness and pneumonia. Anyone with concerns about their pet's health, or whose pet is showing signs of canine influenza, should contact their veterinarian.
A: CPV-2c is the most recent variant of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), the virus that causes "parvo" enteritis in dogs.
Parvo is a preventable disease, but even vaccinated dogs are not 100% protected from the virus. Vaccines for the parvovirus are recommended for all puppies and are usually given in a series of three shots when the pup is between 6-to-8 weeks old, again at 10-to-12 weeks, and at 14-to-16 weeks.
Rabies. Any mammal is capable of being infected with the virus that causes rabies. Most dog parks and organized dog gatherings require proof of rabies vaccination, but some do not. Rabies is caused by the rabies virus and is 100% fatal in animals once they start to show signs of disease.
Pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is low. Do not put masks on pets; masks could harm your pet.
Dog Flu, or canine influenza virus, is a viral disease and, because of that, it's more difficult to treat than canine cough, also known as kennel cough. Kennel cough is a bacterial infection easily treated with antibiotics. Dog Flu, on the other hand, is a virus that can't be "cured".
Your puppy will vomit and have diarrhea if canine parvovirus is present in their system. Vomit may be clear or a yellow or brown color, and diarrhea will often contain blood and be a light yellow or mustard colored hue.
There is no cure for parvo. Your vet will offer your puppy supportive care over the course of the illness, treating symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, and making sure that your puppy gets adequate nutrition.
A pet infected with parvovirus may develop a fever and behave lethargically, possibly refusing food within the first few days of infection. Within 24-48 hours, copious vomiting and diarrhea present, often containing blood in the later stages.
In the U.S., people tend to get infected with parvovirus B19 more often in late winter, spring, and early summer. Mini-outbreaks of parvovirus B19 infection occur about every 3 to 4 years. Since parvovirus B19 only infects humans, a person cannot get the virus from a dog or cat.
Once a puppy has symptoms of parvo, if left untreated they can die within 48 - 72 hours. It can be simply diagnosed and survival is possible if treated soon enough. If left untreated the mortality rate is as high as 91%.
Of the small number of dogs and cats confirmed to have the virus that causes COVID-19 , some didn't show any signs of illness. Most of the pets that did become ill had mild symptoms and could be cared for at home. Pets have very rarely become seriously ill.
There are currently no antiviral agents approved to treat canine influenza. Your vet may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help control fever and inflammation in the nasal passages and throat.
It takes about 2 to 4 days (incubation period) for clinical signs to develop after contact with the virus. Infected dogs are most contagious during this incubation period before symptoms occur, making rapid transmission likely. Infected dogs continue to spread the virus for up to 20 days.
If it's only a cold, then you will likely be able to care for your pup at home, and symptoms will resolve in about 5 to 10 days. If it's a more serious cold, you might require vet care to improve your pup's health.