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Virus similar to swine flu can infect dogs
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Oct 22, 2009 - 10:44:28 PM

 By PENNY FLETCHER

There’s only one thing that’s constant about this column: I never know what it’s going to be about.

When somebody calls me and asks to meet, it could be about anything that person is working on or has on his or her mind. Last week, for instance, I wrote about a fossil-hunter/singer/adventurer. The week before, it was an accountant who had learned to branch out in several specialties to adapt to the economy, and just before that, about a woman who took a trip in a camper and decided to try her hand at travel writing.

Ruskin veterinarian Hal Ott checks out Rose Angell, a standard poodle, for more than her regular annual diseases. A relatively new virus in the same strain as the (human) danger of swine flu has recently been discovered in dogs. Penny Fletcher photo

It doesn’t matter what you talk about, just as long as you have something you want to say. It’s amazing the variety of topics people bring to my attention and knowing that, I’ve become acutely aware of how interested people are in what their neighbors are up to.

This week’s column topic took me by surprise. With all the news about swine flu I had no idea there was a similar virus going around out there that affects dogs.
Now before anybody gets all nervous and runs out to get Fido or Fluffy a flu shot let me say right off the bat that dogs that stay in their own homes and yards and are not exposed to other dogs are not at risk. Hopefully that immediately lets some dog owner’s heartbeats slow down.
 
But if you’re like me, and occasionally take your four-footed baby to a dog park or beach, leash-walk, veterinary office or boarding facility, you’ll want to know more.
When I first heard the rumor about this virus, I called a local veterinarian and we had a talk.

I found out that dogs at local animal clinics are getting more than their regular checkups this year. While only rabies vaccinations and tags are required by the state and county to own a pet, other shots and tests are often recommended to check for animal diseases like heartworms, skin diseases and kennel cough.
For the past five years though, a new virus has been spreading that has gained more attention this year because of the swine flu which affects humans.

“It is in the same strain of viruses,” said veterinarian Hal Ott, who owns the Ruskin Animal Clinic and helped found both the CARE “no kill” animal shelter and Ruskin Dog Park. “We heard a lot about it at a recent continuing education convention. It is a very serious virus that is almost in the epidemic stage.”

The virus was first discovered in 2004 and has a strain similar to the H1N1 strain, he explained. It’s diagnosed through a nasal swab or blood sample, and has been found in more than 30 states.

“The molecular structure is nearly the same as the swine flu,” he continued. “Some animals get it and are over it before any diagnosis is made. But it can be fatal, usually if it damages tissues and the patient dies of a secondary bacterial infection like pneumonia.”

Found mostly in places where dogs congregate, Dr. Ott ordered all dogs at CARE (Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort) to be vaccinated.

“It is not necessary to worry about prevention if your dog does not go around other dogs,” he said. “But even if you go to a restaurant and walk your dog outside, you need to watch for symptoms because this virus can live outside a host for as long as 48 hours on a surface, even clothing. That’s much longer than most.”

Called H3N8, it is a strain of influenza for which dogs have no natural immunity because it is new. Unlike other strains of viruses that can affect birds, horses, pigs and people, this virus can only affect dogs.

Symptoms include a lasting cough, low-grade fever, nasal discharge, lack of energy and a loss of appetite.

“Most of the diagnoses are after the fact,” Dr. Ott said. “The owners think it is just a cough, and by the time they get to the vet, their pet is over it. There isn’t any real treatment except diet, fluids and extra TLC. But if there is a thick nasal discharge, there may be a secondary infection present that can be treated with an antibiotic.”

A vaccine has been developed but not all dogs need it. To find out more about this disease check out www.doginfluenza.com or www.sheltermedicine.com or ask your vet.

*Perhaps you have something you’d like to share. Or maybe you’d rather tell the community about your favorite charity or cause: or sound off about something you think needs change. That’s what “Over Coffee” is about. It really doesn’t matter whether we actually drink any coffee or not (although I probably will). It’s what you have to say that’s important. E-mail me any time and suggest a meeting place penny@observernews.net. No matter what’s going on, I’m usually available to share just one more cup.

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