WHAT IS CANINE INFLUENZA?HOW IS DOG WITH CANINE INFLUENZA TREATED

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Todays Tips-What i s Canine Influenza?How is dog with canine influenza treated?
Dog Flu, also called Canine Influenza, is a new dog disease. It is similar to Canine Cough. Only a small percent of Canine Influenza cases cause death. The disease has adapted in the dog from a common infection in horses. It is a highly contagious and sometimes deadly canine flu that is spreading in kennels and at dog tracks around the country.
Currently there seems to be much misinformation about this emerging infection in dogs.
There are no reported cases in Canada, and the U.S. infections seem to be confined to Boarding Kennels and Greyhound Race Tracks.
There are a multitude of disorders and diseases that will cause a dog to cough and gag and hack.
Individual assessment for your dog is imperative to diagnose the true cause of the dog's difficulties.
What is canine influenza?
Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection of dogs that is caused by a virus. The canine influenza virus is closely related to the virus that causes equine influenza and it is thought that the equine influenza virus mutated to produce the canine influenza virus.
For ways to treat your pet with at-home remedies that are safe, natural and
Two clinical syndromes have been seen in dogs infected with the canine influenza virus—a mild form of the disease and a more severe form that is accompanied by pneumonia.
Most Dogs suffering with the mild form of canine influenza develop a soft, moist cough that persists for 10 to 30 days. Some dogs have a dry cough similar to the "kennel cough" caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica/parainfluenza virus complex. For this reason, canine influenza virus infections are frequently mistaken for "kennel cough." Dogs with the mild form of influenza may also have a thick nasal discharge, which is usually caused by a secondary bacterial infection.
Dogs with the severe form of canine influenza develop high temperatures (104ºF to 106ºF) and have clinical signs of pneumonia, such as increased respiratory rates and effort. Pneumonia may be due to a secondary bacterial infection.
Because this is a newly emerging disease, almost all dogs, regardless of breed or age, are susceptible to infection and have no immunity. Virtually all dogs that are exposed to the virus become infected and nearly 80% show clinical signs of disease. Fortunately, most affected dogs have the mild form.
Do dogs die from canine influenza?
Fatal cases of pneumonia resulting from infection with canine influenza virus have been reported in dogs, but the fatality rate (5% to 8%) has been low so far.
How is a dog with canine influenza treated?
As with any disease caused by a virus, treatment is largely supportive. Good animal care practices and nutrition assist dogs in mounting an effective immune response. In the milder form of the disease, a thick green nasal discharge, which most likely represents a secondary bacterial infection, usually resolves quickly after treatment with a broad-spectrum bactericidal antimicrobial. In the more severe form of the disease, pneumonia is thought to often be caused by bacteria, and responds best to IV Fluids and a antibiotics.
Is canine influenza virus transmissible from dogs to humans?
To date, there is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza virus from dogs to people.