Jumping Species to Develop the Canine Influenza

Posted on August 26, 2009 by: WayCoolDogs

In 2004, a new flu had jumped species and was shown to be a concern to all domestic dog populations, with the virus deadly to dogs—spreading throughout the entire canine population in the United States.

Referred to as the “New Canine Flu”, it had no treatment and no vaccine, and was jumping species like fleas jumping on a dog’s back. This jump was originally thought to consist of feeding greyhounds raw horse meat that was infected with horse influenza. Horse influenza was avian flu, which has been proven to jump species, and then was shown to jump bird species through avian flu to horses, which was now horse influenza.

The avian flu quickly moved throughout the racing greyhound campgrounds along with domesticated dogs, with new indications that there was a potential problem for humans. With the CDC carefully watching the disease, it was proven to be deadly while putting the entire domestic dog population is at risk. Unfortunately, the majority of veterinarians lacked adequate information about this newly developing disease.

Nearly 80% of the domestic dog population which had become exposed to the canine flu virus were only to develop a mild form of the disease with a 5% to 8% mortality rate. This especially applied to very young, very old, or infirm dogs. Dogs that developed the canine influenza could only be tested through blood tests performed at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, with testing taking as much as two weeks.

CLINICAL SIGNS IN EARLY CANINE INFLUENZA

“Since this is a new pathogen in dogs, there is currently no natural immunity present in the unexposed canine population. Almost all exposed dogs will become infected, and nearly 80% have clinical signs. In the mild form the dogs will have a cough that persists for 10 to 21 days. The cough may be soft and moist or dry. Many dogs will have a nasal discharge from a secondary bacterial infection and low grade fever. The nasal discharge responds to broad spectrum antibiotics.’

“In the severe form of pneumonia there is a high fever (104-106 F) and respiratory difficulties. X-rays may show consolidation. These dogs often have secondary bacterial infections and have responded to broad-spectrum antibiotics and supportive care including intravenous hydration.’

“The incubation is two to five days and dogs may shed virus for seven to 10 days. The disease can spread rapidly throughout a boarding kennel. Dogs that are coughing SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT TO SHOWS or Performance EVENTS.”

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF CANINE INFLUENZA

(FROM THE AVMA): In veterinary, boarding and shelter facilities, the canine influenza virus appears to be easily killed by disinfectants commonly used in these facilities, such as quaternary ammonium compounds (eg, benzalkonium chloride) and bleach solutions. Protocols should be established for thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting cages, bowls and other surfaces between uses. Employees should wash their hands with soap and water:

before and after handling each dog
after coming into contact with dogs’ saliva, urine, feces, or blood
after cleaning cages
upon arriving at and before leaving the facility.

Isolation protocols should be rigorously applied for dogs showing clinical signs of respiratory disease. Clothing, equipment, surfaces and hands should be cleaned and disinfected after exposure to dogs showing signs of respiratory disease. Dog owners whose dogs are coughing or exhibiting other signs of respiratory disease should not participate in activities or bring their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to the virus.⁶

In May 2009, the USDA approved the licensure of the first influenza vaccine for dogs developed by Intervet/Schering Plough Animal Health Corporation. The canine influenza vaccine contains inactivated whole virus.

HISTORY OF THE CANINE INFLUENZA

The canine influence had surfaced in 2004 at the Florida greyhound racing parks, killing 8 of the 24 infected greyhounds. Within a very short time, the virus moved to greyhound tracks in Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Considered one of the most highly contagious diseases there was, anyone uninfected could pick it up through human contact or shared items, in addition to dog-to-dog encounters. Called an H3N8 flu virus, it was very closely related to the equine flu strain but is not related to the typical human flu virus or the H5N1 avian flu in Asia.

When the virus originally jumped from horses to dogs, there was not considered reason to panic as it was a very “rare event of considerable scientific interest”, according to Dr. Ruben Donis, chief of molecular genetics for the influenza branch of the CDC. It was not understood how the jump had developed, with the eating of raw meat considered speculative—according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet at that time, it was accepted that the strain of flu may possibly jump again in the near future…this time to humans.

RESOURCES

American Veterinary Medical Association

Snopes. com

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