Serious and Concerning News:
A case of Canine Influenza has been confirmed at a local dog facility and we have heard from many Smart Dog owners with sick pups over the last few days. While we don’t have test results from any of our clients back yet (there are 2 at the lab now), I have decided to assume that is what we are dealing with. The symptoms of the affected dogs are much more severe than plain “Canine Coughâ€.
Dog Parents: I am going to personally reach out to you today via email if your dog has visited Smart Dog in the last 14 days. If your dog is experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, I recommend you consult your vet and avoid areas with multiple dogs like dog parks, apartment potty areas, Smart Dog and other dogs in your neighborhood.
From the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): 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.
- Mild form — Dogs suffering with the mild form of canine influenza develop a soft, moist cough that persists for 10 to 30 days. They may also be lethargic and have reduced appetite and a fever. Sneezing and discharge from the eyes and/or nose may also be observed. Some dogs have a dry cough similar to the traditional “kennel cough” caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica/parainfluenza virus complex. Dogs with the mild form of influenza may also have a thick nasal discharge, which is usually caused by a secondary bacterial infection.
- Severe form — Dogs with the severe form of canine influenza develop high fevers (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.
- Transmission— Dogs can catch Canine Influenza through close or direct contact (e.g., licking or nuzzling) with infected dogs, breathing in cough or sneeze droplets from infected dogs, and exposure to droplet-contaminated items such as toys, bedding, people’s hands, or water bowls. Canine Influenza has a 1-3 day incubation period and symptoms can come up quickly – especially in dogs with flat faces, older dogs, and young puppies.
When we see a dog exhibit symptoms of any sort, we immediately remove the dog from group and move them to a quarantine area. Unfortunately, the AVMA also states that most dogs with Canine Influenza and Kennel Cough are contagious before they start showing signs. There are also many who shed the virus but are asymptomatic. Because of this, the disease can be difficult to prevent or control in multiple dog settings. Pet Parents also play an important role in prevention. We often hear things like “oh, I noticed he was making that noise over the weekend†or “I saw his drippy nose, but I thought it was no big deal.â€. If your dog looks under the weather, please keep them home and give Smart Dog a heads up so we can alert other pet owners.
10 years of networking with trusted veterinarians ensure I know what’s going on in animal health and keep up with best practices to both prevent disease. (I lovingly refer to them as “The Brain Trustâ€). Here’s what they are saying: This is an outbreak of respiratory disease and it is affecting almost every boarding and daycare facility in our area of Dallas. At a recent visit to the Veterinary Emergency Group, Dr. Davore said they had seen dogs with severe symptoms from 3 other kennels and a dog trainer in 24 hours and they had run out of quarantine space. The good news is that Dr. Marsh at ReadiVet and Drs. Mitra & Mitchell with Vets of Dallas have confirmed that, as of right now, most of the dogs they’ve seen so far suffer mild to moderate symptoms and resolve in a couple of weeks.
I am always available if you have questions or concerns. Please don’t hesitate to call, email, or text!
Angela Hildeson
- Office: 214.884.7529
- Personal Cell: 817.845.4577 (please text first)
- Email: [email protected]
