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.

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.

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.

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

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.