New Dog Flu True or False?

[SLICK WILLIE]

The wife was telling me the other day that the media had released info on a new Dog Flu that had no cure! Anyone else get this info on the news?

[pulldoginks]

I too heard of it about two weeks ago I was watching eather fox news of cnn. from my understanding it started with gray hound that are race dog and now has moved to homes and family pets. you might try the animal planet site or fow news site cnn site or HSUS site. they may have more I will do some cheeking and see what I can find. I will post it up in health you do the same please.

[SLICK WILLIE]

Ok I'll check it out!

I too heard of it about two weeks ago I was watching eather fox news of cnn. from my understanding it started with gray hound that are race dog and now has moved to homes and family pets. you might try the animal planet site or fow news site cnn site or HSUS site. they may have more I will do some cheeking and see what I can find. I will post it up in health you do the same please.

[pulldoginks]

posted some info up for you!

[bam-bam's mom]

i heard about it a while back, and talked about it with my vet. he said that it isn't really easy to spread, and if your dog is up to date on shots, then you have nothing to worry about. it is taking its toll on unvaccinated dogs........

[Texasbulldogs]

Is the doggie flu epidemic overblown? Despite recent research and reports about the canine illness, a Virginia Tech expert thinks so. Virginia Tech researcher Dr. Brad Fenwick has spent years battling the various ailments that occasionally sweep through racing-dog populations. Lately, though, the internationally recognized greyhound expert has found himself working to prevent the spread of what he deems undue panic among dog owners about canine flu.
For the 2nd time in 4 months, newspapers and other media outlets worldwide have carried alarming stories about a new, potentially deadly strain of influenza that has sickened thousands of dogs. And for the 2nd time, Fenwick is strongly and publicly disputing what he sees as media "overhype" of a doggie flu that, while fatal on rare occasions, likely comes and goes without most dog owners even noticing. He is urging the dog-owning public to remain calm. "This is a lot like a winter cold for humans," said Fenwick, who is also the vice president for research at Virginia Tech. "We sneeze. We cough a little bit. We go to work. We don't take antibiotics and we're fine. We get over it."
News outlets 1st caught wind of the story in the spring, when more than a dozen greyhounds at a ffice:smarttags" Massachusetts</ST1:p racetrack died suddenly of a flu-like illness. The sickness resembled "kennel cough," a relatively common and rarely deadly syndrome that causes coughing, runny nose and other respiratory problems in dogs. But the flu was more contagious. Tracks in other states reported similar outbreaks, although with fewer or no deaths.
The virus, as well as media attention, waned until this week [final week September 2005], when Science magazine published a report on the flu by a team of researchers. The group wrote that the flu virus, which they believe began in horses and made the rare leap to dogs, appears to have spread beyond greyhounds into the domestic dog population in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com /><st1:State w:st=<ST1 /><st1:State w:st=<ST1:pFlorida</ST1:p</st1:State> and other states. The true scope is yet unknown. "The canine influenza virus is really the new kid on the block for veterinarians to consider in their differential diagnoses for kennel cough," said Dr. Cynda Crawford, a <ST1:p<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Florida</st1:PlaceName></ST1:p professor and lead researcher, during a Centers for Disease Control press conference this week.

Crawford and her colleagues estimated that the new canine flu had a mortality rate of 5 percent to 8 percent. Alluding to alarmist media reports and rumors, Crawford said the flu is "not the deadly virus that certain sources have played it up to be" and recommended that dog owners maintain their habits regarding kennels, groomers and dog parks.<O:p</O:p

Fenwick does not dispute most of the group's scientific findings, but he believes the 5 percent to 8 percent mortality figures are "outrageously high." Fenwick, whose research team is developing a vaccine for the flu, said his studies have found that less than one percent of all infected dogs even need treatment with antibiotics to prevent secondary infection, which is what often causes flu-related deaths. Among those one percent, a small number died from the illness. Fenwick attributed the high mortality seen at isolated tracks to delayed or inappropriate treatment. "We deal with outbreaks that are much more serious all of the time," Fenwick said. Crawford could not be reached on Friday [30 Sep 2005].
Fenwick, who sent a letter to track and kennel owners nationwide at the urging of the American Greyhound Council, also called any suggestion that the dog flu could transfer to humans "irresponsible to the extreme." Fenwick recommended that dog owners keep a watch over dogs that begin coughing, sneezing or exhibiting other signs. Most will heal by themselves. Dogs that become depressed or stop eating and playing, however, should be brought to a veterinarian immediately, he said.
Canine flu does not appear to be causing problems in the <st1:City w:st="on">Roanoke</st1:City> and <ST1:pNew River</ST1:pvalleys. "I'm having some owners ask about it, but I really haven't seen any cases here," said Dr. Randall Young with Christiansburg Veterinary Clinic.
Dr. Steve Karras from Cave Spring Veterinary Clinic said his office has also received numerous calls from dog owners concerned about their dogs or the possibility of pets passing it to humans. Karras, who has not seen any flu cases, said he is urging owners to keep their dogs' vaccinations for kennel cough and other illnesses current to prevent secondary infection should the flu spread locally.

[Suki]

Here's what found:

THIS WAS ON THE NEWS THIS A.M. AS WELL.....

DATE: SEPTEMBER 27, 2005



SUBJECT: CANINE INFLUENZA



Recent reports in the media, in particular an article in the New York Times on Sept. 22, have drawn attention to an emerging and potentially fatal strain of canine influenza which is spreading in boarding kennels and dog tracks in at least eight states. I’ve been contacted by a number of media outlets in Maine and have given interviews on Maine Public Radio and two Maine television stations. I consulted with the Maine VMA leadership yesterday and it was suggested that I write an informational piece to be distributed to Maine veterinarians.

While there is still much to be learned about this emerging disease, I can at least provide you with the facts, as I’ve been able to learn them.



1) The virus is an H3N8 and appears to be closely related to, and perhaps mutated from, the equine influenza virus.

2) It was first recognized and reported in racing greyhounds at a track in Jacksonville, Florida where 8 of 24 infected animals died in January 2004.

3) The disease has since spread to and killed greyhounds in six other states (Massachusetts, Arizona, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Texas and Iowa).

4) The NY Times report indicated that canine influenza was diagnosed in early September 2005 in about 88 dogs in a boarding kennel in Chestnut Ridge, north of New York City. A number of these dogs were treated at a veterinary hospital in Paramus, N. J.

5) The clinical picture resembles “kennel cough” causing a coughing and gagging syndrome for up to three weeks. Dogs may have a purulent nasal discharge that seems to resolve with antibiotic treatment. This suggests that secondary bacterial infections are a common component of the clinical presentation. More severely affected dogs exhibit a high fever (104-106) with increased respiratory rates and other clinical signs of pneumonia. Antibiotic therapy seems essential for recovery. Some fatal cases of pneumonia have been reported but the rate is probably below 5%.

6) This strain of influenza is not related to typical human influenza or to the H5N1 avian flu that has killed millions of birds in Asia as well as 64 people in four Asian nations.

7) There are no cases of canine influenza affecting humans.

8) The Florida Department of Agriculture issued a press release on September 20, 2005 stating that the disease has now been diagnosed in shelters, boarding facilities and clinics in several areas of Florida, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Duval counties.

9) Because this is a newly emerging disease, there is a high degree of susceptibility among an almost totally naïve population. Virtually every animal exposed is likely to be infected with about 80% showing clinical signs.

10)The following information was extracted directly from a Cornell Diagnostic Lab posting dated September 21, 2005: “At present the most reliable way to diagnose canine influenza virus infections is by serological tests. The direct link between canine influenza virus and a clinical event is through the collection of acute and convalescent serum samples. First sample is collected at the first presentation of the patient and then 2-3 weeks later. Serum can be separated from the clot and held in the refrigerator until collection of the second sample. Samples can be shipped overnight without ice packs or 2-day delivery with ice packs. For animals that have recovered from a case of “kennel cough”, a single serum sample can determine whether the animal has been infected with canine influenza virus at some point in the past. As this is a relatively new pathogen of dogs, we do not expect to find a high seroprevalence in unaffected dogs”



There’s a great deal more information available on the Internet. I am recommending that pet owners, shelter owners and operators of boarding kennels consult with their veterinarians if they have any questions. Please give me a call if you have further questions.

[SLICK WILLIE]

Thanks everyone!