Canine Flu

Overview

Canine Flu is a type of respiratory disease that dogs suffer from. Popularly known as "dog flu", this condition occurs due to type A influenza, known to impact dogs' health negatively. While this type of influenza is not yet known to affect people, it is contagious among dogs, regardless of size, age or breed, leading to long-term health issues.
The severity of the disease can depend from dog to dog, from zero symptoms physically manifesting to ones leading right to death. If left untreated, some dogs can develop bacterial infections or other serious illnesses like pneumonia.

Most dogs affected by the canine flu show signs of lethargy, loss of appetite and hyperthermia. If you recognise such symptoms in your dog, consider consulting the veterinarian for prompt treatment.

What is Canine Flu?

Certain strains of the influenza virus affect people while some others have an impact on animals. The H3N8 and H3N2 virus strains have been traced in dogs suffering from respiratory diseases. Such conditions can be spread from one dog to another, especially if they are present in groups or a single space. The canine flu outbreak is more likely in places that welcome several dogs, like dog parks, shelters, etc.

Currently, there are no cases of humans catching canine flu under any circumstance. Additionally, the chances of the otherwise ever-evolving viruses somehow becoming fatal to humans, are also quite less. However, the flu becoming fatal to a dog's livelihood is possible. While never emerging as an epidemic, localised outbreaks of the canine flu have been recorded.

Types of Canine Flu

Canine Flu may show up in dogs in the form of physical symptoms. Medical history records note canine flu spread via 2 distinct strains of influenza virus:

H3N8 Strain of the Canine Influenza Virus

The H3N8 strain originated from horses, emerging in the United States first. The severity of respiratory diseases developing from H3N8 Strain varied from mild to life-threatening. However, vaccines were made available as a cure for this condition.

H3N2 Strain of the Canine Influenza Virus

The H3N2 strain of canine influenza virus emerged in Asia, also causing contagious respiratory problems in dogs. It too, prominently caused the outbreak of canine flu in the United States, almost a decade after the H3N8 strain was detected. Vaccines were available to battle this strain as well.

Symptoms of Canine Flu

Signs of canine influenza may show up in several different ways in dogs. Keep in mind that certain dogs may or may not show symptoms of the flu at all. However, mild illness (around 104 - 105 degrees Fahrenheit) is a given in most infected dogs.

Other common symptoms of the canine flu include continuous coughing, nasal discharge and runny eyes. Dogs will tend to be a lot less energetic, feeling all the more sleepy. They will also experience an aversion to their typical diet.

Causes of Canine Flu

Canine Flu may be caused by a number of different reasons, mostly being transferred from one dog to another during an inevitable flu outbreak. In fact, it can also spread with humans as a medium - say, if they've interacted with a dog who has the canine flu; they go on to play with another healthy dog. The healthy dog then ends up catching the canine flu. Other contagious mediums include water bowls, which the infected and healthy dogs may have shared; the latter falls sick. Collars and kennel surfaces may also lead to the spreading of the flu.

Risk Factors of Canine Flu

The contagious respiratory disease in dogs can be spread quite easily, especially when put in confined spaces with other dogs. It is usually spread through "respiratory droplets" when the infected dogs cough or let out a sneeze. Older dogs, puppies, dogs with compromised immunity systems and other health issues are at risk of suffering from the flu. Additionally, emotional stress and isolation from social surroundings may affect the dog's overall mood. Veterinary consultations and care costs will also rack up and pose financial burdens - turning into risks in the long run.

Diagnosis of Canine Flu

The typical tests carried out to detect canine flu causal strains include the collection of nasal or blood samples. However, the veterinarian will only recommend testing if they deem it necessary. As the symptoms may look quite similar to ones associated with other respiratory diseases, precise testing may be required to diagnose the canine flu.
At first, the veterinarian will take a look at the dog's lifestyle and health history to recognise the difference in its behaviour patterns. Based on this analysis and other factors like whether or not there is an outbreak of canine flu in the area, the diagnosis will take place.

Treatment of Canine Flu

Treatment includes a lot of rest and a nutritional diet for the dog. The diet must consist of a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Preventive Measures for Canine Flu

While there are treatment plans available to fully cure flu-infected dogs, undertaking preventative measures in the first place shall save a lot of vet bills. So, precautions one can take early on to protect their dogs from the circulating flu include keeping them away from other sick dogs. If the dog is sneezing or coughing, connect with a veterinarian immediately and keep them in isolation for at least four weeks after the signs start appearing.

Overall, avoid having your dogs mingle with other unknown dogs to be on the safe side. Additionally, keeping an eye out for any announcement regarding a local outbreak of the canine flu shall help you intensify the preventive measures, whenever necessary.

Avoid touching a sick dog and then coming in contact with a healthy dog afterwards. Wash your hands at least, with soapy water and sanitise well before playing with the healthy dog. Finally, ensure not sharing the healthy dogs' toys or water bowls with unknown ones as they might already be infected with the canine flu.

Myths and Facts Related to Canine Flu

Here are some popularly believed myths surrounding the Canine Flu and the factual alternatives to them:

Myth 1: Canine Flu Can be Spread from a Dog to a Human
Fact: Canine flu cannot be spread from a dog to a human. However, it is a contagious respiratory disease that can be spread among dogs. There are zero recorded reports about a canine influenza virus affecting humans.

Myth 2: Catching the Canine Flu will always result in Death
Fact: Being infected by canine flu does not necessarily mean that death is on the cards. There have been mild to severe cases of, making dogs quite sick in the process. However, with proper treatment, they shall recover in time. While extremely severe cases resulting in pneumonia, may also sometimes cause death – it’s not usually the case.

Myth 3: Canine Flu Infected Dogs will Always Show Signs of Illness
Fact: Some flu-infected dogs do not show any signs of weakness or illness. However, it doesn't mean that they cannot spread the disease to other dogs. Even if they don't "seem" to be suffering, they can spread the virus effectively.

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