Dog Flu
The Dog flu is a highly contagious and sometimes deadly canine disease spreading around the country. Influenza has never before occurred in dogs, but has been common in horses for more than 40 years.
It is an influenza strain that jumped from horses to dogs. Sick dogs that have been tested revealed their disease is nearly identical to the H3N8flu strain that afflicts horses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There is no evidence that this dog flu has spread to humans, but health officials say they hope to monitor exposed dog owners nonetheless.
Symptoms of dog flu include a cough that may be mistaken for kennel cough - a common canine illness. Dogs with dog flu are susceptible to getting pneumonia.
Dog flu made the news earlier this year as greyhound racetracks closed to control outbreaks. Veterinarians struggled to tell if the illness was a new variant of kennel cough or an entirely new disease. Tests of blood stored by racetracks suggests the new dog flu strain began infecting dogs sometime between 1999 and 2003, well before the first outbreaks were recognized.
Click on the links below to read more about the Dog Flu:
Talk of the Nation, September 30, 2005 · A flu virus jumps species - from
horses to dogs. The virus has killed racing greyhounds, but what does
it mean for pet dogs?
Guest: Cynda Crawford, D.V.M., immunologist, Department of Small Animal
Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
LISTEN: Listen to the presentation on NPR Radio
UF College of Veterinary Medicine
Contagious equine flu virus infecting dogs across U.S. is isolated by Cornell researchers
The lowdown on dog flu
What you should know to protect your pooch
Recent Discovery of Dog Flu in the U.S. Frightens Pet Owners — Tamiflu: It’s Not Just for People Anymore
Don't panic! New canine flu needs attention not concern
New Dog Flu Spreads in U.S., But Death Rate Is Low