Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-2540 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor

Phone: (307) 766-3571

E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

 

Date: May 3, 2006

 

Dog owners can protect their pets from canine influenza

            Canine influenza virus, a highly contagious, potentially fatal respiratory infection of dogs, has been detected for the first time in Wyoming, but pet owners shouldn’t become alarmed, according to the director of the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL).

            “This is usually a recoverable disease. When a dog becomes infected with the influenza, the mortality rate is only about 5 percent. People should not overreact,” said Donal O’Toole of the WSVL, which is operated by the University of Wyoming’s Department of Veterinary Sciences in the College of Agriculture.

            Several cases of the influenza have been reported in Cheyenne, including an outbreak at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter. Officials with the shelter decided to euthanize dogs being sheltered there to curb the spread of the disease.

            Several Cheyenne veterinary clinics saw their first cases last week, and a throat sample from one of the dogs was sent to the WSVL. Testing by Assistant Professor Ana Bratanich and Laboratory Technician Jackie Cavender confirmed the dog had canine influenza.

            “The dog has since gone home, and it is getting better. A full recovery is expected,” O’Toole said.

            “The only place we know that has the disease at the moment is the Cheyenne Animal Shelter, so people shouldn’t get alarmed in Cheyenne and across the state and region,” O’Toole said. “It should still be safe for people to take their animals to boarding facilities, even in Cheyenne.”

            Owners should consider influenza if their animals develop a cough, O’Toole said. “In some cases, there may be vomiting. The animals may have pus discharging from their noses. Some dogs will run a fever, be depressed and go off their food, just like people with human influenza.”

            If dog owners suspect their pets have influenza, they should call their veterinarians before taking any other action, O’Toole said.

            “Don’t take your pet into a clinic unannounced because that could expose other dogs to the disease,” emphasized O’Toole, who noted that veterinarians will likely make special arrangements to examine such animals. “Since this thing is pretty infectious, the veterinarian will want to see the dog separate from their other patients.”

            How can dog owners protect their pets from contracting the disease?

            “Don’t let your dogs run loose, and try to keep them away from other dogs if you can, especially those that appear sick,” O’Toole said.

            There is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza from dogs to people, cats, horses, or other animals, O’Toole said.

            “This disease has been on the go for the last 1 1/2 years in the United States. It was first recognized in Florida. It is an equine influenza virus that moved into dogs,” he said. “For some months, we have been testing for the influenza in anticipation it would show up in Wyoming.”

            O’Toole said if dogs being treated for “kennel cough,” a common bacterial infection, did not respond to antibiotics, a swab from their throat would be sent by veterinarians across Wyoming to the WSVL. He added that Cornell University offers a blood test that helps establish whether dogs were infected in the past.

            There is no vaccine to prevent canine influenza and, because this is a newly emerging disease, almost all dogs, regardless of breed or age, are susceptible to infection and have no immunity, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

            It adds that virtually all dogs exposed to the virus become infected, and nearly 80 percent show clinical signs of the disease.

            Fortunately, according to the AVMA, most affected dogs have the mild form, and they experience a full recovery.

            The WSVL has posted several resources on canine influenza, including information from the AVMA, at http://wyovet.uwyo.edu/Diseases_2006.asp.

                The Wyoming Livestock Board has also posted information on its Web site at http://wlsb.state.wy.us/.

###