This canine virus, being referred to as New Canine Influenza, Greyhound Disease, and Race Flu, is considered highly contagious. It has been suggested that 80% of dogs exposed to the virus will develop an infection. Most dogs will only have mild coughing however puppies and older dogs are at greatest risk for fatalities associated with the virus. The number of dogs at risk from dying from this virus may be anywhere from 1% to 10%.
Dr. Ziegler, a CBW Veterinarian, spoke with a Vet on the State of Colorado level to discuss this issue. Here are his findings. To understand the Canine Flu it is important to understand what Canine Cough is and their differences and similarities:
Canine Cough:
- Canine cough consists of 1 bacteria and a virus.
- You can only treat the bacteria with medication not the virus.
- The bacteria is treated with a Broad Spectrum Antibiotic- there are many types. Zithromax or Cipro is a Broad Spectrum Antibiotic but is used mainly if the dog with K-9 cough is not eating or has a fever.
- The virus is treated with “supportive” care such as: bed rest, low activity/decrease activity, hydration, not pulling on collar, and keep warm.
- The inflammation in the throat is the virus and thus can not be treated with medications but through the supportive care such as: bed rest, low activity/decrease activity, hydration, not pulling on collar, and keep warm.
- The inflammation in the throat is the virus and thus can not be treated with medications but through the supportive care.
Canine Flu:
- The Flu has the symptoms of a sever case of Canine Cough.
- University of Florida suggests the flu has a second bacteria in addition to the bacteria and virus found in Canine Cough.
- Only can be treated right now with Broad Spectrum Antibiotics because they are “miles away” from finding a vaccination for this particular bacteria.
- Research for this is new and they are not certain how much of a problem this may be.
- Primarily found on the East Coast in Greyhound racing track kennels. This could be due to stress in addition to the bacterial virus.
- About 80 percent of the dogs in a kennel are affected by the flu once one dog contracts the flu.
Here are some commonly asked questions at Camp...
WHAT IS "CANINE COUGH?" Canine Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis) is a highly contagious upper-respiratory disease which is spread by an air-borne virus. The incubation period of the disease is roughly 3 to 14 days. The main symptom is a gagging cough, sometimes accompanied by sneezing and nasal discharge, which can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Although this coughing is very annoying, it does not usually develop into anything more serious but it is recommended to be treated by a vet. It can lower the dog's resistance to other disease making him susceptible to secondary infections.
HOW IS IT CURED? Just as in the common cold, Canine cough is not cured but must run its course. Many times antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent secondary infection, and sometimes cough suppressants will be prescribed to reduce excessive coughing, but these medications do not attack the disease itself.
DOES CANINE COUGH OCCUR ONLY IN KENNELS? No. Since this virus can be present anywhere, and can travel for considerable distances through the air, they can affect any dog…even one which never leaves its own back yard. But canine cough is more likely to occur when the concentration of dogs is greater such as at a dog show, kennel, veterinarian offices and hospitals as well as pet shops. Dogs can also be exposed while running loose or while being walked near other dogs or playing in the park.
AREN'T THE CHANCES OF CATCHING IT GREATER WHEN A DOG IS IN A KENNEL? It can be because, in a kennel, a dog encounters two conditions that do not exist at home which are proximity to a number of potentially contagious dogs, and the excitement of a less familiar environment, which can result in lowered resistance to disease. These same factors explain why children are more likely to catch the flu in school, rather than at home. But the more frequently a camper comes to overnight or day camp, the greater are the chances the camper will acquire an immunity to the disease.
IS THIS VIRUSE A CONSTANT PROBLEM? No. Canine Cough, like the flu, is often seasonal. It also tends to hit an entire area at one time. When veterinarians begin to see cases, they normally come from every kennel in town, dog park users, as well as from individual dog owners whose dogs were not kenneled at all. When the virus has run its course, the veterinarians might not see another case for months.
CAN MY DOG BE VACCINATED TO PROTECT HIM AGAINST CANINE COUGH? Yes! Vaccines against Canine Cough however are not always routinely used as part of a puppy and an adult dog's yearly check up. Please explain to your veterinarian your pup comes to play at Camp Bow Wow and they need to be vaccinated with the Bordetella vaccination (either injection or intranasal). It is important to understand the Bordetella vaccination used to prevent this viral disease is made from only one strain of over the 100 different strains of the virus. Thus the vaccination is not as effective against some strains as others. Some strains are not included in any of the vacations. Therefore, in some cases there is not prevention against Canine Cough.
CAN'T THE KENNEL PREVENT MY DOG FROM CATCHING CANINE COUGH? Unfortunately, no amount of supervision, sanitation, or personalized care can prevent a dog from "catching" an airborne virus. All that we can do is to recommend immunization against Canine Cough. We also refuse to board any obviously sick dogs; we listen and watch for any signs of sickness, and make sure that any dog requiring veterinary attention receives it as quickly as possible. Strangely, the dog with Canine Cough does not usually appear ill, yet is contagious.
Hope that answers some of your questions!
Gotta go catch a few rays before the snow flies!
'Til next time...Woof! --Scout
Look, we got snow!! 
