Tag: H3N8

New Vaccine for Epidemic H3N2 Dog Flu Now Available

Earlier this year, the H3N2 dog flu virus became an epidemic, sickening dogs in 24 states across the country. It was first confirmed in Illinois, where more than 1,500 Chicago-area dogs were infected.

Before dogs became sick in the Chicago area, H3N2 had never been reported in the United States, but there have been outbreaks in China and South Korea since 2006. H3N2 is believed to have been brought to the U.S. by a dog from Asia, or a dog who visited Asia and became infected.

The symptoms of H3N2 include coughing, sneezing, fever and lethargy. Most at risk are puppies, older dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems. While most dogs recover within 10 to 30 days, some have developed pneumonia and other serious health issues. At least six dogs have died from H3N2.

Until this week, the only vaccine available was for preventing another strain of dog flu, the H3N8 virus. It was not known if that vaccine is effective against this new strain.

On Nov. 20, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a conditional product license for Merck Animal Health to release its new Canine Influenza Vaccine H3N2. The vaccine became available to veterinarians Monday.

“Based on the highly contagious nature of the strain, the severity of clinical disease and the rate at which we were seeing newly diagnosed cases, we knew we needed to act fast – both to help veterinarians and pet owners contain the outbreaks and develop a vaccine to protect dogs against it,” said Kathleen Heaney, DVM, director of Companion Animal Technical Services at Merck Animal Health, in a news release.

According to studies, H3N2 produces 10 times more virus than H3N8, making it “far more contagious,” said Edward Dubovi, Ph.D., of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University in the news release. “Preventing the transmission of the disease through vaccination is highly recommended for those dogs that have lifestyles that put them at greater risk.”

That riskier lifestyle includes frequent social activity with other dogs at dog parks, doggie day care facilities and boarding kennels.

Dogs who are healthy and at least 6 months old can receive the new vaccine, which is delivered in two doses several weeks apart.

The new vaccine will be a lifesaver, said Dr. Kristie Johansen, a veterinarian at Sugar Hill Animal Hospital in Atlanta.

“It will be very significant for us,” she told WSB-TV.

Dr. Melissa Bourgeois, another vet at the hospital, recommends that dogs get both the H3N2 and H3N8 vaccines, since both strains are currently spreading in Atlanta.

Here are some important tips for preventing your dog from getting the H3N2 virus.

Photo credit: bazusa

How to Prevent Your Dog from Getting the H3N2 Dog Flu

The epidemic H3N2 virus has spread to at least 24 U.S. states. Most at risk for becoming infected with this flu are puppies, older dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems.

The H3N2 strain cannot be transmitted from dogs to humans, but it can be transmitted to cats. No cats have yet been diagnosed with this flu strain.

While most dogs recover within 10 to 30 days, some have developed serious issues, such as pneumonia. Six dogs have died from H3N2.

H3N2 Prevention Tips

If you live where the flu has been reported, do the following to prevent your dog from becoming infected:

  • Keep your dog on a leash whenever you leave your house.
  • Keep high-risk dogs at home, away from other people’s dogs.
  • Wash your hands and change your clothes after you are in contact with another dog to reduce the chance of transmission.
  • Routinely monitor your dog for the flu symptoms listed below.

Susan Nelson, clinical associate professor in clinical sciences at Kansas State University’s Veterinary Health Center, said the main thing is to be vigilant about where you’re taking your dog and watching for signs of illness.

“My advice to dog owners is to watch the news and be aware of where the disease is across the country,” Nelson said in a news release.

H3N2 Symptoms to Watch For

The following are some of the symptoms of both the H3N2 and H3N8 canine flu strains, according to Cornell University:

  • Coughing
  • Nasal discharge
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy
  • High fever

The symptoms are typically more severe for the H3N2 strain. However, about 20 percent of infected dogs show no signs of this flu.

According to the ASPCA, dogs are most infectious before the symptoms appear, and continue to be infectious for about 10 days.

If your dog does show any of the symptoms, isolate him from your other dogs and take him to the vet. (Some animal hospitals have set up separate areas for infected dogs, or are asking pet parents to stay in their cars with their dogs instead of in the waiting room.)

Treatment for H3N2

“The veterinarian might prescribe medications, such as an antibiotic (to fight secondary infections) and/or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (to reduce fever, swelling and pain),” the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports.

“Dehydrated pets may need fluid therapy to restore and maintain hydration. Other medications, or even hospitalization, may also be necessary for more severe cases.”

Most dogs recover from the flu within 10 to 30 days.

As of Nov. 23, the new Canine Influenza Vaccine H3N2 is available. The vaccine is delivered in two doses several weeks apart to dogs who are healthy and at least 6 months old.

Photo credit: hernan.mojarro

Epidemic Dog Flu Spreads to Texas and Georgia

Updated dog flu news

The epidemic canine flu virus that has sickened more than 1,000 dogs in the Chicago area, as well as dogs in Wisconsin and Indiana, has now reportedly spread to Texas and Georgia.

The flu has also claimed its sixth victim. Johnny Suede, a 3-year-old Chihuahua, died earlier this month at the P.A.W.S. animal shelter in Tinley Park, Ill., about 30 miles from Chicago.

“We gave him IV fluids, antibiotics, nebulizer treatments, you name it,” Cindy Staros, a shelter volunteer, told WLS. “He just couldn’t pull through.”

Most of the dogs at P.A.W.S. have been infected with the virus. Since they can be contagious for up to 21 days, the shelter is temporarily closed.

This dog flu was originally thought to be H3N8, a strain that first appeared in the U.S. in 2004 at a Greyhound racing track in Florida, sickening dozens of the dogs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Since then, H3N8 has been reported in 30 states.

But in April, scientists confirmed the current epidemic is actually the strain H3N2. There have been outbreaks of H3N2 in China and South Korea since 2006, but it had never before been identified in the U.S. It is believed to have been brought here by a dog from Asia.

Most at risk for becoming infected are puppies, older dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems. After sickening an estimated 1,300 dogs in the Midwest, the flu outbreak is now moving south.

The first case of H3N2 in Texas was reported May 13. The affected dog and his family had recently moved to the Houston area from Chicago, according to NBC DFW.

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine alerted veterinarians Friday that a dog in Athens, Ga., has been confirmed to have the flu, although it has not yet been determined whether it’s H3N2 or H3N8. The dog had recently been in contact with others at a boarding facility in Atlanta, FOX 5 reports.

Click here for tips on preventing your dog from getting the H3N2 virus.

Photo via Twitter

Scientists Confirm Chicago Dog Flu Is New Strain from Asia

Updated dog flu news

The near-epidemic canine flu that has sickened more than 1,000 dogs in the Chicago area — and resulted in the death of five dogs — is not H3N8, as originally thought.

On Sunday, laboratory scientists at Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin confirmed the flu strain is actually H3N2.

“The H3N2 was brought here almost for certain by a dog from Asia, or that had visited Asia and came over here while they were infective, which is a very short window,” Dr. David Gonsky, of West Loop Veterinary Care in Chicago, told MyFoxChicago.com.

H3N2 has never before been identified in North America. There have been outbreaks of this canine flu in China and South Korea since 2006.

According to a press release from Cornell University, the symptoms of both H3N8 and H3N2 include high fever, loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharge and lethargy. The symptoms may be more severe for the H3N2 virus. For both viruses, some infected dogs may not show any symptoms. Most at risk are puppies, older dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems.

The flu has started spreading beyond Chicago. A dog in Madison, Wisc., was diagnosed with it last week. Cases have also been reported in Indiana and Ohio, according to the Wausau Daily Herald.

Here are tips for preventing your dog from getting the H3N2 virus.

Photo credit: Laura

Near-Epidemic Dog Flu Spreads from Chicago to Wisconsin

Updated dog flu news

APRIL 14, 2015 UPDATE: Laboratory scientists have confirmed that the flu affecting dogs in Chicago is not H3N8. It is H3N2, a strain from Asia that has previously not been seen in the United States.

Five dogs in the Chicago area have died since January from H3N8, a type of respiratory flu that is highly contagious to other dogs, but not to humans. Thousands of cases have been diagnosed in the last few months, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Yesterday, a dog in Madison, Wisc. — about 150 miles north of Chicago — was diagnosed with H3N8.

“Canine influenza has been confirmed in a patient in the Madison area,” stated the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in an advisory.

Dr. Jerry Klein, supervising veterinarian for the Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center, described the spread of the dog flu as near-epidemic. “In my 35 years, this is the worst outbreak,” he told WLNS.

The first outbreak of canine influenza occurred back in 2004, when Greyhounds at a racing track in Florida became ill, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Since then, the flu has been reported in 30 states.

The current outbreak is expected to last for a few more weeks.

Here are tips for preventing your dog from getting the H3N2 virus.

Photo credit: Dylan Tweney

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