Author Topic: The info. on Canine influenza...as if we didn't have enough to worry about!  (Read 4288 times)

Offline newflvr

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This just came on Newf - L ( the health group for Newfs on Yahoo) :(

In a message dated 9/21/2005 8:54:02 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
mbp1@cornell.edu writes:

There  are now veterinarian advisories out concerning Canine Influenza.   
This may be cross posted but please include this header section, which Dr. 
Dubovi has approved. 

PLEASE DO NOT PANIC, and do NOT assume that  every cough is Canine Influenza.
 Kennel Cough from parainfluenza and  Bordetella is more common.  However,
the Animal Health Diagnostic  Center at Cornell is interested in receiving
samples from dogs that appear to  have kennel cough.

Clinical Signs:  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 with 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 period 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.

Marg Pough


From NYS  Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Animal Health
Diagnostic Center  at Cornell.


Canine Influenza Virus Detected in  Dogs in New York  State


The Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell has reason to believe that 
canine influenza virus is now present in the New York City area.  Reports  have
been received indicating an unusual form of "kennel cough" has been seen  in a
number of veterinary practices.  Six animals recovering from this  clinical
presentation are all serologically positive for canine influenza  virus. 
Previous tests of New York State dogs have all been  negative.

Canine influenza virus is a relatively new finding in dogs.  It was first 
identified in racing greyhounds and this virus appears to have been the cause 
of significant respiratory problems on the tracks throughout the US for the 
last 5-6 years.  The Virology Lab at Cornell isolated the first influenza  virus
from an animal that died from the infection.  The virus was  sequenced at CDC
and was found to be closely related to equine influenza  virus.  Evidence of
infection of non-greyhounds by influenza virus has  been found in Florida for
the past year.   

A  key factor in defining the significance of this infection in dogs is to
obtain  additional isolates so that sequencing can be done to determine whether
the  virus is evolving in the dog.  We are requesting assistance in this 
endeavor from practitioners that have respiratory cases in dogs >1 year of  age. 
Samples that we need are pharyngeal swabs taken from dogs at the  onset of
clinical signs (fevers of 39.5 to 41.5oC, a soft, gagging cough for  10 to14
days).  Samples for virus isolation taken late in the infection  will not be
useful for virus isolation. Swabs should be placed in a sterile  tube (red top
vacutainer for example) with 5-6 drops of sterile saline.   Do not place swabs in
bacterial transport medium.  Ship samples overnight  on ice packs. Samples
will initially be screened by PCR for influenza  virus.  Positive samples will be
processed for virus isolation.   There will be no charge for the influenza
screening at this  time.

Acute and convalescent serum samples will also be helpful to define the
extent  of the infection in dogs.  If one has cases of dogs that have recovered,  a
single serum sample can be used to determine  exposure.

Should animals die of a respiratory infection, fresh and fixed tissue can be 
submitted for influenza virus  screening.

Any questions regarding this matter should be directed to:

Dr.  Edward Dubovi
Director-Virology  Lab
ejd5@cornell.edu

Offline 4everblu

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Re: The info. on Canine influenza...as if we didn't have enough to worry about!
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2005, 05:43:20 am »
Oh yes, I just posted about this about an hour before you did.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one  who read/heard this.

It sure sounds scarey.  I hope they can get a vaccine made up ASAP.
I remember how many pets were lost to PARVO about 20 years ago. 

This sound real contagious.
I'm worried for those poor homless dogs  in the south due to the recent huricanes. With no one to care fo them, and keep them safe.[/color][/color]
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Offline newflvr

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Re: The info. on Canine influenza...as if we didn't have enough to worry about!
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2005, 05:44:38 am »
I have to agree!  According to your article, a vaccine can easily be "whipped up".   Hope they do it soon....but in the mean time, my pups will not be boarding ANYPLACE!!

Yaz

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Re: The info. on Canine influenza...as if we didn't have enough to worry about!
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2005, 06:13:29 am »
My puppy had this twice in four months. It's absolutely dreadful. Copious amounts of yellow nasal discharge and complete lethargy for two weeks. The first time he got the virus we went to three different vets because they couldn't figure out what it was and how to treat it. 

Offline newflvr

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Re: The info. on Canine influenza...as if we didn't have enough to worry about!
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2005, 06:51:27 am »
Poor Guiness!  How is he now?

Yaz

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Re: The info. on Canine influenza...as if we didn't have enough to worry about!
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2005, 07:14:47 am »
Sadly for us but happy for him he's back with his breeder. We dropped him there on the weekend and it was pretty sad, but seeing him jump and play with the other Saints as we were leaving made it a bit easier.
Regarding the flu though, that was a nightmare. The sneezing is not to be believed. Huge amounts of snot constantly drip down the dog's nose so you have to crate them for the majority of time while they are sick since the mucous goes flying all around your house. The fever and lethargy are worrisome too. I'm so glad they have a name for this virus because we spent a small fortune both times taking him to vets who didn't know what to make of it. They all insisted it was kennel cough at first even though I told them it didn't sound like kennel cough. But as soon as Guinness would sneeze and drip snot in their office they would freak out and say they weren't sure what they were dealing with.

Offline newflvr

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Re: The info. on Canine influenza...as if we didn't have enough to worry about!
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2005, 07:16:30 am »
I'm so sad he had to go back to his breeder!!!  That must have been a horribly hard decision to make!  It sounds like you've really been through it with him! :(

Yaz

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Re: The info. on Canine influenza...as if we didn't have enough to worry about!
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2005, 07:41:55 am »
Thanks, newflvr. Poor Guinn seemed to have a very weak immune system from the getgo. I don't think it's typical of Saints, though - just his rotten luck. We'll be getting a new puppy in a couple of months from the breeder - hopefully they will have a Flu vaccine available by then!