Canine Influenza: A Comprehensive Guide To Pet Owners

What is Canine Influenza?

Canine Influenza is a respiratory disease caused by the Influenza A virus.

The symptoms of infection include fever, cough, lethargy, and excessive mucus production.

Dogs with severe cases may have difficulty breathing and/or experience severe lung tissue damage.

While the exact transmission path is unknown, it is believed to be spread through direct contact between animals and aerosolized respiratory secretions.

Canine Influenza viruses belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae, a ‘Type A’ influenza virus. In the United States, two virus strains are prevalent: H3N8 and H3N2.

How does Canine Influenza Spread?

Canine Influenza is spread through direct exposure to respiratory secretions (e.g., mucus, saliva, and vomit) from an infected dog. Humans should wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their mouths or nose while handling sick dogs.

The virus can be spread from certain types of birds, rodents, and pigs have been shown to carry the virus & pass it on to other animals. In addition, cats have been proven carriers of the organism and can spread the disease to dogs through direct contact with their wet noses or by sharing contaminated surfaces with them.

The same goes for house pets. Dogs are capable of contracting the virus and passing it along to humans through close contact with them or through their urine, saliva, feces, or nasal secretions

Kennels, shelters, and daycare facilities are at increased risk of infection. It is crucial to clean and disinfect objects. If you have to interact with dogs in your community, such as at the dog park, ascertain to wash your hands with soap and water regularly and avoid touching your eyes.

What are the Symptoms of Dog Influenza?

Lethargy: Lethargy might be the most obvious sign that your dog has canine Influenza

Difficulty breathing: Dogs that have severe canine Influenza can struggle to breathe. At the onset of the illness, these dogs might have labored breathing “dyspnea ” and can appear to be choking.

Severe lung tissue damage: If your dog is showing signs of severe infection, there is a chance that their lung tissue might be damaged and that they might need to be intubated (put in a breathing tube).

Coughing: Coughing in dogs is another common sign of canine Influenza ,especially at the onset of the illness. As the infection progresses, coughing can become less frequent or persistent

How to Prevent Canine Influenza?

Clean your dog’s environment: A clean house, yard, and car protect you from contracting many diseases. Clean your house regularly, and do not allow your dog to run around in the dirt or in a field. Make sure that your dog’s environment is clean and disinfected regularly.

Wash your hands regularly: Hands are the main entry point for viruses and bacteria – keep them clean by using soap and running them under a clean water stream regularly.

Make sure that your dog is healthy: If your dog is showing any signs of illness, such as coughing, lethargy, or difficulty breathing, take them to the vet as soon as possible. A healthy dog is less likely to develop an infection than an unhealthy one.