Professionals Stress High Morbidity, Low Mortality Aspects of Dog Flu
Amid consumer media reports of a killer dog flu, veterinary professionals say the influenza A virus that jumped from horses to greyhounds and pet dogs can be treated in most cases with supportive therapy. Dozens of dogs from all across the United States have been diagnosed with the dog flu, identified as influenza A subtype H3N8. It has been seen in horses for 40 years, said Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhD, a lead researcher who identified canine flu in racing greyhounds last year. There is no evidence, however, to suggest that racing greyhounds were the first dogs to get the flu. “If my research had focused on the shelter population we may have found the virus there first,” Crawford explained. “I do not want people to think that greyhounds have spread this all over the country.”
On Sept. 26, 2005, Crawford participated in a media briefing with research professionals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who represent animal and human health, as well as Edward Dubovi, PhD, director of the virology lab at Cornell University’s Animal Health Diagnostics Center, who identified the canine flu last year. Many of the professionals who participated in the briefing contributed to a scientific paper about canine influenza that was published Sept. 26, 2005, in Science magazine. Dubovi is now testing hundreds of serology samples that have been sent to the lab since the dog flu hit the consumer media airwaves. Instructions on sampling can be obtained online.
The highly contagious nature of the flu, which mimics kennel cough and can become fatal if it progresses to pneumonia from secondary bacterial infections, has prompted concern from professionals across the United States and Canada who are encouraged to use contagious disease protocols when handling dog flu cases.
Symptoms include a soft cough, thick nasal discharge that resembles distemper, or fever. A cough is the most common symptom though every case is different, which is why Crawford encourages receptionists to ask questions about the reason for a visit when booking appointments to minimize exposure to other dogs.
Flu is Highly Contagious
For Best Friends Kennel in New Jersey, the flu spread to most of the dogs housed there within 10 days. On Aug. 30, 2005, Larry Nieman, DVM, owner of DVM Services Consulting, responded to a call from the kennel about six coughing dogs. Ten days later 88 dogs had been diagnosed with canine influenza. There was a total of 150 dogs there at the time, he said. The kennel, which had recently been built with a state-of-the-art ventilation system, was closed on Sept. 10, 2005, when the first fatality was reported. Nieman helped the company, which owns 42 kennels, send letters to 1,400 veterinarians about what he called the “acute epidemic.” Two out of the 88 dogs died.
Three other kennels in the New York, New Jersey area have reported problems with canine influenza-like symptoms but there are no national figures available on how many kennels have seen cases of canine influenza. The American Boarding Kennel Association has fielded questions from some of its members but it is not tracking how many kennels have reported problems with the flu, said Bill Porter, education coordinator.
Special Handling Required
Over the last few weeks, Gannon and her colleagues at Oradell have fielded many calls from concerned clients who want to know if they should have their dogs tested for the flu even if they are not showing signs and have not been to a kennel recently. “We tell our clients that this is just like a cold. You can’t live in fear of it,” Gannon said. She does not encourage serology tests unless dogs are showing signs.
To prevent exposure to other dogs, Crawford urges professionals to wear gloves and scrubs when examining dogs with symptoms of dog flu. These dogs should not be allowed in general waiting rooms and Crawford also suggests using isolation rooms for exams. Management Guidelines for professionals are being drafted by the AVMA in conjunction with the University of Florida, Cornell and the CDC, and will be available online soon.
The virus can also be spread through respiratory secretions and viral contamination of inanimate objects like water and food bowls as well as toys. The virus, which has an envelope, is not persistent in the environment and is sensitive to routine disinfectant, Crawford said. “You can clean the virus from the premises; it’s not like parvo.”
Canine influenza was first diagnosed in a pet dog in August 2004, and can affect all dogs because there is no naturally acquired immunity, Crawford said. However, several dogs that have been exposed have not gotten sick, Crawford said. An assistant scientist at the University of Florida, Crawford has been working with a company to produce a vaccine for canine influenza but did not give any specifics. She estimates that it may take two to three years to develop and test, due to government regulations and safety measures.
Taken from NEWStat October 5, 2005 Vol.3, Issue 20, Copyright © 2005 American Animal Hospital Association