Canine Influenza

What is canine influenza?

Canine influenza is a respiratory infection that has been identified to be caused by two virus strains in the US: H3N8 and H3N2.

H3N8

This strain was identified in 2005 and there have been only a few documented cases in Oregon.  This strain does not affect cats.

H3N2

The 2015 outbreak in the Midwest was caused by this strain as were the cases in Washington.  In Asia it has been reported to infect cats, but in the US this has been rare in occurrence.  At this time there have been no documented cases in Oregon.

How is canine influenza transmitted?

Canine influenza is an airborne disease.  The virus can also be transmitted by contact with contaminated objects.  If your dog rarely has contact with other dogs then the risk of getting the virus is low whereas if your dog has contact with other dogs the risk may be higher.

What are the symptoms?

Infected dogs may cough, have a runny nose, be lethargic, and/or have a fever.  Coughing is the most common symptom.  If your dog is coughing keep it away from other dogs until cleared by your veterinarian.  Coughing is a symptom of a variety of illnesses and conditions so refer to your veterinarian for an appropriate diagnosis.

How do I prevent my dog from getting sick?

Wash your hands after contacting a sick dog before you touch other animals.  Avoid contact with dogs that seem ill.

There are vaccines available for both strains of the virus however the vaccines available for H3N2 only have conditional approval from the USDA.  Consult your veterinarian to discuss if a vaccine would be appropriate for your dog.

References
-Oregon Veterinary Medical Association <oregonvma.org>