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Canine Influenza H3N8 virus.
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| White House Animal Hospital |
Canine flu is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by a specific Type
A influenza virus. This is a disease of dogs, not of humans. The “canine
influenza virus” is an influenza A H3N8 influenza virus (not a human
influenza virus) that was originally an equine (horse) influenza virus. This virus
has spread to dogs and can now spread between dogs.
This virus has been known to infect horses for over 40 years but has only recently been able
to also infect dogs. It can now spread easily from another dog to your pet through respiratory
secretions (coughing and sneezing) just as the human flu virus spreads. It may also be
spread on clothing, equipment or surfaces that may become contaminated from infected
dogs. Canine influenza is not contagious to humans or pets other than dogs.
The symptoms include runny nose, fever, and a cough. Some dogs may develop pneumonia.
If your dog exhibits any of the above symptoms please contact us as soon as possible.
Pets are usually infected in dog facilities like shelters, kennels or boarding facilities, day care
centers, dog parks or grooming shops. If your pet frequents these types of establishments
there is a vaccine available for the prevention of the canine flu. It must be administered in
two doses give 2-4 weeks apart. In a field study of 746 dogs there were no side effects from
the administration of the vaccine. If you would like more information call our office at
615-672-0357.
For information from the vaccine manufacturer you can go here.
For CDC information about canine flu you can go here.
A influenza virus. This is a disease of dogs, not of humans. The “canine
influenza virus” is an influenza A H3N8 influenza virus (not a human
influenza virus) that was originally an equine (horse) influenza virus. This virus
has spread to dogs and can now spread between dogs.
This virus has been known to infect horses for over 40 years but has only recently been able
to also infect dogs. It can now spread easily from another dog to your pet through respiratory
secretions (coughing and sneezing) just as the human flu virus spreads. It may also be
spread on clothing, equipment or surfaces that may become contaminated from infected
dogs. Canine influenza is not contagious to humans or pets other than dogs.
The symptoms include runny nose, fever, and a cough. Some dogs may develop pneumonia.
If your dog exhibits any of the above symptoms please contact us as soon as possible.
Pets are usually infected in dog facilities like shelters, kennels or boarding facilities, day care
centers, dog parks or grooming shops. If your pet frequents these types of establishments
there is a vaccine available for the prevention of the canine flu. It must be administered in
two doses give 2-4 weeks apart. In a field study of 746 dogs there were no side effects from
the administration of the vaccine. If you would like more information call our office at
615-672-0357.
For information from the vaccine manufacturer you can go here.
For CDC information about canine flu you can go here.