Dog Disease – Influenza

Canine influenza is a disease that usually shows up in dogs and is more commonly known as dog flu. This dog disease is cause by different types of Influenza virus A, such as equine influenza virus H3N8 which was discovered in 2004. As a result of lack of exposure to this virus, dogs do not have any natural immunity and therefore, this disease rapidly occurs in individual dogs. 80% of the dogs suffer from this dog disease but the fatality is just 5 to 8 percent.

Causes Of Dog Influenza
Canine Influenza Virus may be transmitted from one dog to another by contaminated objects, through particles in the air or by human beings moving between infected dogs and healthy dogs.

Symptoms of Dog Influenza
Symptoms of the mild form of this dog disease include:

• Sniffling
• Sneezing
• Nasal discharge
• Coughing
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Depressed appetite

After a few days of coughing, about 20% of the dogs may progress to a severe form of canine influenza. The symptoms of this severe dog disease include:

• High fever
• Pneumonia

Treatment of Influenza in Dogs
Although there is no specific treatment for canine influenza viral dog infection at this time, some antibiotics are prescribed to avoid acquiring secondary bacterial infections. Essential amount of nutrition and rest is very important for recovery. Dehydration if present may be cured by fluid therapies. In some cases Tamiflu is an antiviral medication used to treat canine influenza at early stages of this dog disease.