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K-9 Corner: Dog flu not yet found in state

October 26, 2005|HELEN PALMER

A reader asked that I research and report on a new fast-spreading virus causing "dog flu." The information I located was first dated Sept. 27 out of the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine as reported by ABC News. The news item quotes Dr. Cynda Crawford, an immunologist at the University, as saying, "the disease is only deadly in rare cases - about 10 percent in puppies and old dogs - but is of concern because it is spreading rapidly."

The symptoms of the disease include coughing and sneezing. The news item quotes a Seattle veterinarian Dr. Kenneth McKim as having recently treated some dogs with "kennel cough," but said the new virus is different. "It's a more severe disease (with) high fever," McKim said. "It's got more complications with pneumonia and congestion."

This news article states that "dog flu" is like most flu viruses, it can be spread by air, as well as by contact, and the populations of dogs most at risk are those in shelters, kennels, boarding operations or other situations where a lot of dogs are housed under one roof, according to Dr.Crawford. It can be spread in parks where dogs are allowed to play and socialize. It was first noticed at the greyhound race tracks in Florida, but has been diagnosed in seven states in the last month. This virus is believed to have mutated from an equine influenza strain.

On Oct. 14, ABC News published an update. The virus has been found in California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and Washington State. I checked with several of the local veterinarians and none had seen information from the Kentucky State Veterinarian's office. We concluded that, so far, there are no cases of dog flu in this state.

There is no preventative vaccine at this time, so pet owners in the affected states have been keeping their animals at home. Dogs are extremely lethargic and have a hard time breathing while in the acute stage of this disease, according to one dog owner whose pet recovered from dog flu.

The Oct. 14 news article also quoted Crawford as saying that "researchers are getting positive readings on 30 percent to 40 percent of the blood and tissue samples sent in by veterinarians who think they might be treating a dog with influenza."

To answer my reader's question, there seems to be no cause of alarm at the moment, but there is a reason to be alert, especially if the dog owner plans to take the dog to dog shows or canine athletic events out of state. It is the animals that travel and then return home that will bring the virus into this state.

For those not intimidated and desiring to show or have fun with your dog, it might be wise to quarantine the traveler when you return home for about 10 to 15 days or until the incubation period has passed. Then the dog can be released to socialize with its kennel mates.

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