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influenza

Beware there is a nasty canine influenza virus going around bad in PA some cases here. Dog shows and kennels are good places to pick it up. Can be fatal.


Some Facts about Canine Influenza are listed below
Canine Influenza is an enveloped RNA virus. The Canine influenza virus is in the group A and is denoted as an H3N8 virus (not a human influenza virus) that was first recognized in 2004 following an outbreak of respiratory illness at a Greyhound racing facility in Florida, however, testing of archived samples indicates that the virus infected dogs as early as 1999. This virus responsible for this outbreak had 99% nucleotide homology with equine influenza. Since that time the H3N8 has mutated and gained the ability to cause active disease in dogs. In addition, other canine influenza viruses have been discovered.
There is a licensed vaccine available (Nobivac Canine Flu H3N8 – a killed vius vaccine from Merck Animal Health).
Incubation period : 2-4 days
Shedding period : up to 10 days; often starts before clinical signs develop; quarantine should therefore be 2-weeks following development of clinical signs to be safe.
Transmission : respiratory through nasal secretions. This can be by direct contact, through the air (coughing or sneezing) or via contaminated surfaces.
Canine Influenza does not persist in the environment (< 1 week). Inactivated by most commonly used disinfectants such as alcohol, bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds and potassium peroxymonosulfate (ie. Trifectant).
Other rule outs : Bordetella bronchiseptica, other respiratory viruses (parainfluenza, adenovirus, canine respiratory coronavirus, canine herpesvirus).
Clinical signs : can be mild to severe. Lethargy, anorexia, low-grade fever, nasal discharge (clear initially then mucopurulent), dry, nonproductive cough or soft moist cough. More severe disease – high fever, increased RR, pneumonia. Hemorrhagic pneumonia has been reported in the greyhounds with secondary Streptococcus zooepidemicus infections.
Helpful Websites: www.cdc.gov/flu/canine; www.doginfluenza.com;

Re: influenza

Is the vaccine effective? I'll buy a 25-pack if it's worth it.