Dog Flu Information
Dog Flu Facts
- The H3N8 influenza virus has jumped from horses to dogs
- This H3N8 virus causes ‘dog flu’
- Initial findings of H3N8 infected dogs were at a Florida greyhound racing track
- H3N8 virus causes symptoms that mimic traditional ‘kennel cough’
- ‘Kennel cough’ is typically caused by bordetella bronchispetica bacterium
- Other symptoms of H3N8 infection are nasal discharge and fever
- Both H3N8 and bordetella are contagious between dogs
- Dogs diagnosed with H3N8 infection should be isolated
- Approximately 80% of H3N8 infections will be mild
- A small minority of infected dogs may experience complications such as pneumonia
- A small minority of infected dogs will also be asymptomatic and will not show any signs of the infection. However, it is believed that asymptomatic dogs are infectious
- The H3N8 virus has never infected humans
- H3N8 causes a mortality rate of 5 to 8% in infected dogs
- There have been verified occurrences of H3N8 in dogs in South Florida shelters, boarding facilities and veterinary clinics
- H3N8 has also been verified in New York City and Massachusetts
- If a pet dog exhibits coughing, nasal discharge or fever, the dog should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible
- Dog owners that have a dog that recently had a respiratory infection should keep their dogs home for a couple of weeks after the illness to not infect other dogs
The above information was condensed from a transcript from a Centers for Disease Control media teleconference on September 26, 2005