What is Canine Influenza? The canine influenza virus is a mutated strain of an equine influenza virus that has been detected in horses for over 40 years. The canine influenza strain is not known to infect birds or humans. (The canine influenza virus does not appear to pose a risk to people.) It is thought that the feeding of raw horse meat to greyhounds may have allowed the equine influenza virus to mutate to this highly contagious virus now infecting dogs. Canine influenza was first reported in January 2004 at a Florida greyhound track. The virus was first identified in the pet population in Spring 2005 as a cause of serious respiratory illness in dogs in shelters, humane societies, boarding facilities and veterinary hospitals in Florida.

What regions are affected? As of January 1, 2008 canine influenza has NOT been confirmed in pet dogs or racing greyhounds in Michigan. There have been confirmed cases in Ohio. The infection has been confirmed in pet dogs in 10 states: Florida, New York, California, Oregon, Washington, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania as well as Washington D.C.. Outbreaks of respiratory infection have been reported at 34 greyhound racing tracks in 17 states, but none has been reported in Michigan. Of course, people traveling with their dogs to states known to have the infection should avoid having their dogs visit places housing large numbers of dogs such as kennels or unfamiliar dog parks.

What to watch for: Since this is a new disease, all dogs, regardless of age or breed, are susceptible to infection and have no immunity. Virtually all dogs exposed to the virus become infected and nearly 80% will show clinical signs of disease. Two clinical syndromes, mild and severe forms of disease, have been seen in dogs infected with canine influenza. Dogs with the mild form of disease have a soft productive cough for 10-30 days or a non-productive cough similar to canine cough. A thick nasal discharge may also develop in dogs with the mild form of disease. Dogs with the severe form of disease develop high fevers (104-106 degrees F) and develop pneumonia. The fatality rate associated with the severe form of disease is low, around 5-8%.

Treatment: Most dogs infected with canine influenza do not develop severe disease and will recover from this virus without any treatment. Treatment for the severe form of disease requires veterinary attention for intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Although researchers are working on a vaccine to prevent canine influenza, one does not exist at this time. Vaccination for canine influenza would be advised once a vaccine is made available, especially for dogs frequenting boarding facilities, animal shelters or dog parks.(Information provided by Ned F. Kuehn, DVM, MS, DACVIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine at Michigan Veterinary Specialists, 2005. Dr. Kuehn is a full-time staff member at Michigan Veterinary Specialists.  www.michvet.com)
You can also check out the Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine for updates. Click on "Dog Flu". www.vet.cornell.edu/news/dogflu.htm