News has been traveling fast about the dog flu disease, also known as canine influenza. Pet owners are very concerned, as this emerging respiratory disease can mimic kennel cough, a much more common and much less serious disease in dogs.
Canine influenza, like kennel cough, produces serious coughing and is highly contagious; especially in crowded conditions like kennels. Unlike typical cases of kennel cough, influenza may also present with very high fevers (104-106F), nasal discharge and lethargy.
The virus responsible for this disease has been known in equine medicine for over 40 years. Researchers suspect this horse virus mutated to infect the canine population. The first dog cases were reported in Florida in 2004.
To learn more about this disease, please visit this sites:
- Canine influenza virus emerges in Florida
From the AVMA - Canine Influenza (Canine Flu)
From the Pet Center - Canine Influenza Virus Detected
From Cornell University - Newly Emerging Canine Flu
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Emerging Issues: Canine Influenza Virus
From Cornell University - Canine Influenza Virus
From Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Canine flu has made quite a leap
From Newsday Inc.
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