CANINE INFLUENZA
What is canine influenza?
Canine influenza was first identified in dogs in 2004, and it is a strain of influenza that mutated
from the equine form. It is a contagious respiratory virus that is spread between dogs but does not
affect humans. Some dogs will become very sick after infection with the virus, while others will have
no symptoms at all. Most infected dogs never get officially identified, since the diagnostic testing
requires two blood samples, before and after illness. Infected dogs are likely to experience cough,
fever and nasal discharge , and a small number will develop severe pneumonia. In the worst cases, the
disease can be fatal.
Is my dog at risk?
Canine influenza has been identified in dogs in New York City. The Health Department recognizes only
those cases that are identified with the paired blood tests. Virtually all dogs who are exposed to the
virus become infected, with 80% developing signs of illness. The general fatality rate is 1 to 5% ,
according to the American Association of Veterinary Medicine, though much higher mortality rates were
seen in groups of exposed racing greyhounds. Dogs who socialize in group situations, particularly in
enclosed spaces like boarding facilities, are at the greatest risk. The virus is airborne and also
spread by contact with people or exposed materials , so direct contact is not necessary for
transmission. It can persist in the environment for two days, and on hands and clothes for 24 hours.
Is there a vaccine?
A new vaccine was approved this year for canine influenza. The vaccine does significantly reduce the
severity and duration of symptoms , and the length of time the infected dog remains contagious. Two
injections are given 3 weeks apart, and then a single injection is given yearly. So far only mild side
effects have been reported with the vaccination, such as temporary low grade fever in some patients. A
supply of the innoculations is now available at Symphony Veterinary Center for our canine patients,
though it is given only after consideration of the individual patient's risk factors.
For more information:
www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/canine_bgnd.asp
www.sheltermedicine.com/portal/is_canine_influenza_update.shtml
www.vetmed.ufl.edu/college/pr/documents/CanineinfluenzaFAQDogowners_001.pdf
CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS
Leptospirosis is a severe bacterial disease which is now found in New York City. It has been
infecting dogs on the Upper West Side since 2002, and before that in Brooklyn, Long Island, and upstate
New York. Leptospirosis is frequently fatal, causing sudden kidney and liver failure in dogs. The
disease is contagious to humans. It is transmitted when a dog swallows water that has been contaminated
by the urine of an infected dog, rodent, or other wild animal. There is a good vaccine against the
disease, but it is imperative that the innoculation given includes the current strain: Lepto canicola,
plus the other two types found nearby. The old lepto vaccine, often contained in the DHLPP combination
shot, does not offer protection against the current local strain of the bacterium, and tended to cause
temporary fever reactions, which is much less likely with the newer vaccine. A dog is initially inoculated with a two
shot series two to four weeks apart, then once a year.
We recommend Leptospirosis vaccination for all our canine patients.
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