Natural Pet Health

Canine flu is a viral infection caused by different varieties of the Influenza Virus A, a viral agent known to cause equine flu. The most common of these viruses is the equine influenza virus H3N8. In fact, the first instance of canine flu occurred in the horserace tracks of Florida where greyhounds were also raced and therefore exposed to the virus.

Although canine influenza virus has been tested positive in dogs earlier, it was only in 2004 that it was discovered that the virus could also cause influenza in dogs. The virus affects the canine respiratory system and causes this highly contagious disease that can pass on from one dog to another.

Canine influenza or dog flu was first identified in early 2005. This was after the outbreak of an epidemic of a dog respiratory system disease in the greyhound racetracks in Florida. A major outbreak of the disease was reported in New York State and by 2006 it had spread to 22 states of USA and believed to affect almost 16% of the dogs, with a mortality rate of 7%.

The canine influenza virus (CIV) belongs to the same family as the equine influenza virus, which has been around since the last forty years and more. It is understood that the contagion occurred on the racing tracks as the same tracks are used for greyhound as well as horse racing.

A lot of people would like to know whether their dogs and cats can catch common colds like humans do. The answer is YES and NO!

Symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing and coughing can develop as a result of a viral, bacterial or fungal infection in the canine or feline respiratory system. But while human colds are usually associated with a change in season, cat and dog colds are independent of seasonality and are usually caused by a virus.

Many pet owners bring their dog or cat to a vet, kennel or cattery while traveling. The risk of infection increases greatly. In addition, the holidays are often a time of high-travel, and pets may come along for the journey.

Both older and younger pets are more predisposed to disease. They are also more prone to progression of a disease and treatment failure. This happens because in older pets the vital organs and systems start to loose their functionality and, in puppies and kittens these organs and systems have not developed completely.

The immune system too is highly compromised in older and younger pets due to similar reasons. Canine and feline upper respiratory infection is common in young pets. Although inherently self-limiting by nature, home care remedies can make that extra difference to a fast recovery.

Dog flu, a highly contagious and sometimes deadly canine disease has been detected in a number of states and may be spreading around the country.

Researchers reported that the mysterious dog flu is an influenza strain that jumped from horses to dogs. The dog flu is highly similar to the equine flu that’s been in the U.S. for more than 40 years. Influenza has never before occurred in dogs.

Humans don’t get the virus from horses, and it’s unlikely they’ll get it from dogs, according to experts at the Influenza Branch of the Centers for Disease Control. The medical term for dog flu is H3N8 influenza virus.

Symptoms of canine flu are a lot like those of “Kennel Cough.” Dogs with symptoms may have a nagging cough, fever, and nasal discharge.

The respiratory system of dogs is almost similar to humans and comprises of openings in the nose, the sinuses, the larynx (air passages), the trachea (wind pipe), the bronchi and the lungs. As such, any ailment that affects these organs is termed as a respiratory disease. Canine respiratory diseases may be caused by infections, parasites, cancer, trauma or infections.