Updated February 17, 2016

 What is the dog flu?

  • A contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by a specific Type A influenza virus
  • The canine influenza outbreak currently afflicting dogs in Chicago and other parts of the upper Midwest is caused by a  a virus closely related to Asian strains of influenza H3N2 viruses, currently in wide circulation in southern Chinese and South Korean dog populations since being identified in 2006.
  • A few cases have recently been reported in St. Louis, but there appears to be no problem in Kansas City at this time.

Should dog owners be worried?

  • Like human flu, healthy individuals usually recover without any problems, but in a small number of very young, old or compromised dogs, serious illness or death is possible, but uncommon.

How can my dog get this flu?

  • Direct contact with respiratory secretions from infected dogs,
  • By coming into contact with contaminated objects or environments.

Can a human who comes into contact with an infected dog, pass it on to their own dog or other surrounding dogs?

  • Yes, it can be transmitted on clothing, objects or hands following contact with an infected dog.

What are the symptoms I should look out for?

  • Cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy
  • A very small number can develop severe disease (difficulty breathing, pneumonia, lack of appetite, severe lethargy)

Is there a test for the H3N2 Flu Virus?     Yes, but it is a relatively expensive test.

Can cats get it as well?

  • At this time, there is no evidence of transmission of H3N8 canine influenza from dogs to horses, cats, ferrets, or other animal species. The H3N2 strain, however, has been reported in Asia to infect cats, and there’s also some evidence that guinea pigs and ferrets can become infected.

Can a human contract this illness?

  • No

How is it treated?

  • Treatment largely consists of supportive care (rest, medication to make the dog more comfortable, fluids)
  • Antibiotics may be prescribed if a secondary bacterial infection is suspected.

Is there a vaccine for this latest strain?     Yes

 Does this vaccination have any side effects?

  • Like any vaccine, allergic reactions are possible, but very rare.

Should we avoid all public, dog friendly places, groomers, pet stores, etc.?

  • Unless the virus becomes prevalent in the Kansas City area, there is no need to restrict your pet from those situations.
  • You might want to postpone travel with your dog to cities where the virus is prevalent (North Central US, Chicago, possibly St. Louis – if the number of cases increases, etc.) or at least avoid dog parks, boarding facilities and day care centers in those areas.  You may want to consider vaccinating if the pet will be boarded, visit dog parks, etc.  in those areas.

 Will doggie daycare businesses require this vaccination annually from now on?

  • That will be up to individual businesses.

Will you (my veterinarian) require this vaccination annually from now on?

  • The risk of infection is very low in the Kansas City area at this time (February 2016).  If that changes, pet owners whose dogs have a significant amount of contact with other dogs should consider vaccinating for H3N2.

Please call our office to talk to a doctor if you have more questions or concerns.  913.362.2512

For more information: 

American Veterinary Medical Association – General info about H3N2         -Canine Influenza FAQ

AVMA Canine Influenza: Podcast by Dr. Cynda Crawford

Canine Influenza resources (Iowa State University Center for Food Security & Public Health)

Key Facts about Canine Influenza (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Canine Influenza: Frequently Asked Questions by Dog Owners (University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine)

Canine Influenza Fact Sheet (Iowa State University)

Canine Influenza (University of California-Davis Shelter Medicine Program)

Canine Influenza Virus: Detection, Sampling and Statistics (Cornell University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory)