Emerging Canine Flu May Masquerade as Kennel Cough

The ominous men in their crumpled white suits. You see them a lot in the news lately, hosing down chickens and the places they live in Southeast Asia to prevent the Avian Flu. Now there is another new flu virus on the horizon that is causing concern among pet care professionals: canine influenza, or dog flu. The dog flu is not related to the avian variety and at this point is not transmittable to humans. It is believed that the disease originated in racing greyhounds in Florida in January of 2004. Since then it has been spreading across parts of the United States at a steady rate. There have been documented cases in California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington State, and Washington D.C.

The disease seems to be spread anywhere dogs are kept together in close proximity such as animal shelters, humane societies, pet stores, kennels, and veterinary clinics. Because this is an emerging pathogen that may be related the equine flu, dogs have no natural immunity and they are all susceptible to it. Currently there is no vaccine. Symptoms of the canine influenza include a moist cough and a runny nose. In more severe forms it may include a high fever and signs of pneumonia. Treatment options are mostly supportive. There have been a few reported cases of death from the complications of pneumonia, but so far the mortality rate has been pretty low. This of course, could change if the virus mutates into a more virulent form and it is possible, though remote, that it could become transmittable to humans.

So far there haven't been a lot of cases of the canine flu reported here in the Midwest. Like any communicable disease a lot of the control depends on good sanitary practices at the kennel. You may want to ask to make sure that the following practices are observed by the personnel at the kennel where you board your dog:

Wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

1. Before and after handling each animal

2. After coming into contact with animal saliva, urine, feces or blood

3. After cleaning cages

4. Before eating meals, taking breaks, smoking or leaving the facility

5. Before and after using the restroom

Wear a barrier gown over your clothes and wear gloves when handling sick animals or cleaning cages. Discard gown and gloves before working with other animals.

Consider use of goggles or face protection if splashes from contaminated surfaces may occur.

Bring a change of clothes to wear home at the end of the day.

Thoroughly clean clothes worn at the animal facility.

Do not allow animals to "kiss" you or lick your face.

Do not eat in the animal care area.

Separate newly arriving animals from animals that have been housed one week or longer.

Routinely monitor animals for signs of illness. Separate sick animals from healthy animals, especially animals with signs of respiratory disease.

There is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza virus from dogs to people. However, because of concerns about diseases that are transmissible from dogs to people, in general, it may be prudent for young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with compromised immune systems to limit or avoid contact with animals that are ill.