[ SHOWGSD-L ] more on the Canine Flu

From: Peggy <pmick@xxxxxxxxx>
To: GSD Show List <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, CHGermanShepherdShowDogsList@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2005 15:58:10 -0400
 From an article by Leanne Bertani, M.D., and dog breeder, published in 
the october issue of ShowSight Magazine.  I'm synopsizing here because 
this is important stuff!  This is most of what the article contains...
Peggy

"...similar to equine (horse) influenza virus...it is considered to be 
an intespecies transmission, and the CDC is monitoring the outbreak, but 
officials do not consider the virus to be a human health threat AT THIS 
TIME.   ...predominant initial symptom is a persistent cough which may 
continue for 2 to 3 weeks or more.  While all forms are theoretically 
susceptible to secondary bacterial infection, the likellihood of a 
seriious bacterial pneumonia seems to be increased in Canine 
Influenza.   ...pneumonia may be accompanied by sinusitis with purulent 
nasal discharge and fevers up to 106 degrees F.   ...overall fatality 
rate for all breeds appears to be somewhere around 1%, fatalities may 
reach 10% or more in puppies, elderly dogs, and those in which treatment 
has been delayed.
...at this point therapy is largely supportive, similar to that for 
other forms of tracheobronchitis....may include fluid and calorie 
supplementation, enforced rest, and antibiotics to treat or prevent 
secondary bacterial infection. 
Cough suppressants, nebulizers, and brochodilators may be used in 
selected situations.  Hospitalization may be required for dogs with 
pneumonia or dehydration.
    "Because fever is thought to help the body fight disease, 
antipyretics such as aspirin are generally only suggested if fever is 
greater than 106 degrees and does not respond to physically cooling the 
body...if conditions such as heart failure, respiratory problems or 
seizures are present it may be prudent to use antipyretics for more 
moderate fevers.
    "...no vaccine available at this writing...a vaccine may be 
formulated in the future.   The new flu may be susceptible to antiviral 
drugs such as amantidine and Tamiflu, but those drugs are NOT approved 
for canine use at this time....nearly all dogs are susceptible.  
...incubation period is 2 to 5 days and transmission rate appears to be 
high.  ...if one dog in a kennel is affected, the infection will 
probably be transmitted to nearly all of the rest, even though obvious 
clinical signs may appear in only 75-80% of the kennel's residents.
          AND HERE IS THE INTERESTING PART...........

"...the AHDC at Cornell is accepting blood samples at a reduced rate $20 
instead of the normal $50 virus isolation fee.  Both acute and 
convalescent samples are recommended, one at onset and another 2 to 3 
weeks later.  In dogs that have recovered from infection, a single 
sample can determine whether or not the dog was infected with the virus 
at any time in the past, but will not provide information as to the time 
of infection.
    Cornell is also accepting lung tissue samples, and those samples, 
along with throat samples from dogs with high fevers, will be tested for 
the flu virus without charge IF accompanied by a case history from your 
veterinarian.  For more details on sample submission, see:
    http://www.diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/news.asp

------------
The take home message is this:  Be more vigilant about kennel cough.  
Don't take coughing dogs to places frequented by other dogs.   Keep dams 
and puppies separated from dogs being shown.  Wash clothing and change 
shoes when returning from shows, dog parks, or other kennels, 
particularly if you are in an area where the virus has been confirmed 
and you have puppies at home. 
    It may also be prudent to lower the threshold for prescribing 
antibiotics for coughing puppies or older dogs.

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[ SHOWGSD-L ] more on the Canine Flu

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