It's still cold and flu season -- for people as well as dogs. The good news is, dogs don't get the flu from people (though there has been one confirmed case of H1N1 in a dog), and people don't get the canine influenza virus. And just as people can get pretty sick, even die from the flu, so can dogs. Fortunately, a vaccine to fend off the canine influenza virus (CIV) was released last year.

If you haven't heard about dog flu, you're not alone. It's a relatively new virus, identified in 2004. Although CIV has now been identified in 30 states, there are parts of the country where few or no cases have been reported. Other locations have become dog flu "hot spots."

What's going on in New York is now being called an outbreak by some. Since the virus was first identified in Florida, many snowbirds returning to the Big Apple with their dogs likely brought dog flu home with them. While the disease has been floating around New York for a while, it was probably only a matter of time before it became a real problem.

Part of that problem is that because the virus is new, most dogs haven't been previously exposed to build resistance.

"Nearly 100 percent of exposed dogs get the bug, though 20 percent may never show symptoms," explains Dr. Cynda Crawford, clinical assistant professor, Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, who helped discover the virus. Making matters more challenging, that 20 percent still spreads the virus. CIV is most easily spread by coughing and sneezing, just as influenza is spread in people. Even workers at dog day care centers, shelters or veterinary offices can unintentionally pass the virus by touching a sick dog, then allowing a healthy dog to lick their hands.

"In New York City, dogs are so social there was bound to be a major problem," says Dr. Paul Schwartz, who practices in Manhattan. Since January 10, he's seen 60 suspected cases of canine flu in his practice alone, though most were never confirmed through testing. (To check for CIV, a nasal swab is taken, then a lab performs a PCR --polymerase chain reaction -- test.) Schwartz says he's nearly certain all the dogs first suspected of having CIV had one thing in common -- all were boarded at the same dog day care center.

In addition to sneezing, coughing and sometimes a lot of associated mucus, dogs with CIV tend to feel lousy, often run a fever and may be uninterested in food. Canine flu can worsen into pneumonia. In some dogs, CIV runs its course fairly quickly, other dogs do better with supportive medical care, and still others require aggressive treatment. So far, Schwartz hasn't experienced any fatalities in his practice.

Eric Bellows hasn't been so lucky. He operates Pack Ethic Rescue, a non-profit, based outside Albany, NY, which offers larger dogs a second chance. He sometimes pulls dogs scheduled for euthanasia from New York City Animal Care and Control (ACC). His sanctuary provides basic training and rehabbing for dogs with behavior issues. These dogs, once considered unadoptable, are then adopted. Unfortunately, a few dogs rescued from ACC arrived at Pack Ethic Rescue with canine flu, though Bellows didn't know it. His entire pack of 40 dogs was exposed; many became very ill and two died, including one of his personal dogs. The canine influenza virus was confirmed through testing at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Making matters worse, Bellows says ACC knew the dogs likely had CIV when they were transported. Shelter volunteers speaking off-the-record confirm that officials at the ACC shelter are aware of the problem. However, as one volunteer said, "What can they do? Due to the economy and a new law in New York that doesn't allow dogs over 40 pounds in subsidized housing, they're being slammed with dogs."

Dr. Stephanie Janeczko, director of medicine at New York's ACC, says she knows the canine influenza virus is in the shelter but it's indistinguishable from kennel cough unless each dog is tested, which isn't practical.

"Aside from affording the cost of the vaccine, it takes several days (for the vaccine) to work," Janeczko explains. "And we certainly don't have the space to quarantine all dogs coming into the facility."

Janeczko's ideal answer is to vaccinate all dogs in places like New York City, where CIV appears to be prevalent. This would eventually create what's called herd immunity -- in theory, enough animals would be vaccinated to lower the spread of the disease.

How prevalent is CIV really? The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has one of the largest veterinary clinics in New York City, and medical director Dr. Louise Murray, an internal medicine specialist, says she's not yet identified CIV at her facility.

Schwartz, who says he's no fan of over-vaccination, is now vaccinating for canine flu, particularly for social dogs (likely most in New York City). He recently saw a dog with the canine flu from Brooklyn.

"If it's in one borough, it will be in all of them, and New York City dogs travel to other cities, of course. It's pathogenesity (contagious nature) and short incubation makes the vaccine a sensible choice," he said.

 

 

 

Organic Pet Foods

Natural and Organic Living is Important For Pets
Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer

Interest in natural and organic pet care has also been growing slowly but steadily in recent years, as pet owners begin to realize that the things that are bad for humans are also bad for animals. Organic and natural pet foods are increasingly available, but there are some things to know before you shop.

Why Your Cat Won't Eat
The Daily Cat

Cats have a reputation for being particular about their diets, because they like their favorite foods served at just the right time and place. If your cat quits eating, however, your swift action is critical. Recognizing the typical reasons cats stop eating is a first step in protecting and helping your kitty

Read Your Dog's Body Language
Brad Kloza - The Dog Daily

While there are fewer than a dozen types of barks, there are hundreds of different ear positions, tail positions, paw positions and more, which dogs use to communicate. Focusing on just a handful of body parts will give you a sense of the basics.

Exercise With Your Dog to Prevent Obesity
Jennifer Viegas for The Dog Daily

According to the National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study conducted by 95 veterinary clinics nationwide, more than 44 percent of all dogs are overweight or downright obese. The fat stats for people in America are even higher, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that around 67 percent of adults are heavier than they should be

Health Clues in Your Dog's Behavior
Susan McCullough for The Dog Daily

Here are some common apparent canine behavioral problems and their possible medical causes

Is Your 'Natural' Dog Food Truly Natural
Elizabeth Wasserman for The Dog Daily

You are probably concerned about putting 'natural,' or minimally processed, foods on your dinner table, and that standard now extends to whatÕs in Fido's bowl. That's why you look for recognizable ingredients, such as chicken and carrots, when choosing commercial food for your dog. However, thereÕs still some confusion about what constitutes a 'natural' dog food.

Vitamins and Minerals Your Dog Needs
Kim Boatman for The Dog Daily

Is improving your health on your list of new yearÕs resolutions? This year, donÕt forget to include your dog on that list as well. But first, find out which vitamins and minerals your canine needs and where to find them.

Selecting the Best Kibble for Your Dog
Karen Asp for The Dog Daily

Selecting the right kibble for your dog can be an overwhelming task. After all, there are dozens of choices on the market these days. To help simplify your decision, ask yourself these seven questions

Veterinary Research on Compulsive Behavior Could Benefit Dogs and People
Steve Dale

It turns out that your dog's brain isn't all that different from your own. Dr. Nicholas Dodman, director of the behavior clinic at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, has been studying compulsive behaviors in dogs, horses and cats for decades. And for years he's been encouraging using these animal models to help understand what's going on with people

Canine Conduct - Sniffing and Whiffing
Amanda Harrison for The Dog Daily

Is your dog like a shopaholic at a rummage sale, smelling anything and everything that comes its way? You are not alone. As every dog knows, the best way to get the scoop on anything is through its nose.

For more Pet Stories and Articles, Click Here to Visit our Pets Section

 

Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he can be heard Sundays on WGN Radio, 8 to 10 p.m. CST (www.wgnradio.com to listen live), and hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend

(c) 2009 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.