Canine Influenza Hits COLORADO!

[weezyNollie]

So it's here officially.


Last month our boarding (and some of hospital) patients had a HUGE outbreak with what we were diagnosing as "KENNEL COUGH". The signs were nearly identical. Since all these patients had been vaccinated within the past 6 months (per the Animal Lodge regulations) we called up Fort Dodge to come for a visit. They are the creators of our Bordetella vaccine. They came and looked at storage, took lot #'s, etc etc. They decided to also throat swab and draw blood on 18 of the dogs. The test results came back last week and it was shocking. Only two of the dogs didn't have a positive serum for Canine Influenza, and the rest had varying levels in their blood.

So for those of you who don't know what Canine Influenza is...

It is a mutation of the equine influenza.

The signs are the exact same to Kennel Cough; deep cough, possible fever (up to 106 F), depression, lethargy.

How is it spread? Most easily where numbers of dogs are kept in close proximity but could also be "passed on the street" or in kennels.

How to treat? Actually, no treatment is currently available. Because it rarely develops into pneumonia, the influenza is rarely fatal. Ideal treatment for a case moving in the wrong direction is supportive care. Fluid therapy, intensive care, antibiotics, and possible anti-viral (off label use would be TamiFlu).

How to diagnose? There isn't much an in-house lab can do.. it's primarily sending blood to Cornell -- the ONLY university currently doing testing for influenza.


Overall-- just wanted to inform Western US members it's on its way. It's not just on the East Coast (or FLA).. but it's coming.

[weezyNollie]

bump... bump?

[sheplovr]

Well that is why a bunch of us did not attend the Seiger show near Pittsburgh, Pa last Oct. It was starting and my dogs are more important that a deadly virus or a bad sickness. I was scared I might carry it home to them thinking tons of dogs were going to be there. We opted to stay home and travel to one later or go to Germany in Sept. Thanks for posting as it is a bad one.

[GSDNewbie]

i have some good friends in co one has a boarding kennel could you pm me an further info on this? thanks i must contact them see if everyone is okay! the virus wont go away and i heard it is spread from contaminated meat from the dog tracks it started spreading through the greyhounds. I do not know if this is substantiated or rumor so i cannot in any way verify this. I was in Pittsburg for NASS it was the very beginning of the virus and was only in small isolated areas so i considered it very safe to attend and show my dog. People have just as much chance catching it taking their dogs to the mall and walking around as they do attending the show that was near the mall where actually i believe it is less chance because the dogs at the seiger show are so valuable and well looked after. Congrats Pat are you going to Germany as spectator? or are you going to try showing a dog? if so good luck

[SalemsMom]

Is there a flu vac. for this yet? Bad enough, on the chicken virus, and now we worry about the dogs to.

[GSDNewbie]

not yet that I know of though i do not understand why as we already have it for the horse version


the idea it started in the tracks with contaminated meat is the theory there are alot of greyhound kennel cheat and use horsemeat for their dogs in fla many horses are stolen and slaughtered quickly then the carcasses are dumped the meat is sold illeagally to the people or fed by the people who do it to the greyhounds they think it jumped to the canines this way by ill horses used to feed the greyhounds. As i said this is the theory and i dont know how much proof there is but if you look at the beginning reports of the time period and where it showed up it was in the greyhound race tracks in florida and animal control officers there have been investigating this demise to horses for awhile down there.

[GSDNewbie]

shep who is this Gerti? what kennel? or is she one of the German dog brokers like DH? I always hear her name but dont recall knowing any Gertis in Germany but once about two years ago I think she posted something to pedigree board? if you would rather not say I fully understand and respect that too just so you know

[gsdjordyn]

Shep did you go to the seiger show this past weekend....??
Are you going to show Inko? (In Germany when you go to the show?)

That "flu" is awful..I haven't been around it but have heard terrible stories...

[GSDNewbie]

why buy more from germany? why not show one of the pups you just had born? that would be great to show from ones own breeding instead of a purchassed puppy cant wait till mine is old enough and has her working title i cant wait to show a pup I produced from her!

[gsdjordyn]

Newbie..I agree...My breeder is one of the few breeders of West German lines that breeds her female, then raises and trains a puppy and then breeds it..then it has her kennel name and her own "stock"....She has one that is now just over a year..Rookies sister..and now another one that is 4 months that is crazy for the rag....so hopefully those will work out for her..The crazy little girl's daddy is Ronaldo!!