IT ISN'T EASY to keep an eye on the spread of the new "Dog Flu" that first came to the public eye when it began killing greyhounds at southern U.S. racing tracks. The species-jumping virus that mutated from a known equine infection has killed dogs in Florida, Massachusetts, Arizona, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Texas and Iowa. There seem to have been known cases in New York State, California, Oregon and Washington State during the last two weeks. But as yet there's a relative dearth of up-to-the-minute information on the Web.
It seems to be a foregone conclusion that it will spread into Canada but, typically, very little testing for it is going on in this country. "Suspicious cases" are rumoured to have occurred in Toronto, Hamilton, London and Ottawa, Ontario. In any event, it is thought to be a certainty that returning Canadian "Snowbirds" who winter in the U. S. Sun Belt will import the virus.
Since this is basically a respiratory virus, it is easily propagated by aerosol droplets through affected animals' coughing and sneezing. Contaminated objects such as bedding or feed and water bowls are also implicated in spreading it, as are the hands of human owners and direct canine contact. Its discovery at greyhound race tracks points up the fact that situations in which transient dogs are brought together -- such as DOG SHOWS and DOGSLED RACES, not to mention BOARDING KENNELS -- are centres of high risk for the spread of the disease.
Typically, some experts are trying to minimise concern about it, saying that very few animals exposed are even affected and that the incidence of serious cases is low. Nonetheless, mortality rates of five to eight percent have been mentioned in several articles and the death rate may have been quite a bit higher for the highly-stressed racing greyhounds. It is said that puppies, old dogs, and dogs already sick or in poor condition are most at risk.
Since the disease superficially resembles kennel cough, it may be misdiagnosed, under-diagnosed, or not recognised when it first enters a new region. There seem to be two basic forms of the infection: a mild form in which coughing occurs for two or three weeks, perhaps along with a slight fever; and a severe form in which a high fever is coupled with an increased respiratory rate. In some of the severe cases, pneumonia and lung haemorrhage also occur, sometimes followed by death. (High fever, pneumonia and haemorrage are not typically part of the kennel-cough scenario.)
Dogs with suspicious symptoms should be immediately isolated from other animals and veterinary assistance should be sought. And I would say it makes good sense to stay away from dogs shows, dogsled races, and other transient-canine venues this winter -- unless you just like playing Russian Roulette with your dogs.
Posted by jjeffrey at October 9, 2005 06:28 PM