Ask the Vet: Canine Influenza Very Contagious
Q: My dog's annual physical is coming up soon, and my veterinarian is sure to recommend the flu shot, which I've declined in the past. I'm rethinking that after a friend's dog came down with the disease. Please tell me about dog flu.
A: Dog flu, formally known as canine influenza, was first recognized in the U.S. in 2004. It is caused by two strains of the influenza A virus: H3N8 and the more common H3N2.
Canine influenza is extremely contagious among dogs. Risk is highest where dogs congregate, such as doggy day care facilities, dog parks, grooming parlors, training classes, dog shows and boarding kennels.
Even before clinical signs appear, an infected dog can transmit the virus through the mouth, saliva, nose and nasal droplets. The virus also spreads through contaminated water and food bowls, bedding and other items.
A dog becomes infected within a few hours of exposure and shows clinical signs two to five days later. Clinical signs include coughing, sneezing, loss of energy and appetite, fever, and discharge from the nose and eyes. Pneumonia and other severe clinical signs occur in 10% to 20% of flu patients. The disease is fatal in 1% to 5%.
Even more worrisome is that 20% to 50% of exposed dogs show no clinical signs but become asymptomatic carriers that infect other dogs.
Both asymptomatic carriers and dogs sick with influenza can transmit the virus for up to four weeks and must be isolated from other dogs for at least that long. These dogs should also be kept away from cats, ferrets and guinea pigs, though the virus is not as contagious to these species as it is among dogs. Fortunately, canine influenza does not infect humans.
The vaccination you mention protects against both influenza strains, decreasing the severity of the disease if it does strike. The initial vaccination is boosted three to four weeks later and then annually.
Q: I recently took my cat, Whiskers, to the veterinarian for a medical problem. The vet examined him and prescribed medication, but he didn't explain much.
Whiskers is fine now, but I am frustrated with the poor communication. How should I handle this in the future? I don't want to change veterinarians because I think this one is good and the others are farther away.
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