Canine Influenza
Near the start of each year, we hear about canine influenza (CIV) in the news. With the recent outbreak of canine influenza virus, or CIV, we would like to remind our clients that since the virus is still circulating, we will still be requiring dogs be to vaccinated against it to board and groom with our practice.
From the January 2017 Chicago Tribune:
A temporary quarantine is under effect at the Lake County Animal Control and Adoption Center after several dogs exhibited symptoms consistent with canine influenza, according to officials.
Lake County Sheriff John Buncich said there currently are 35 dogs at the facility and all are expected to fully recover from the virus.
“Due to the high level of experience of our professional staff at Animal Control, we were able to identify the problem quickly and get treatment for these dogs. At this point, most of the dogs are no longer symptomatic,” Buncich said.
Dogs began presenting systems associated with canine flu virus including a notable cough, approximately one week ago. Staff suspects one animal brought the virus into the shelter and it then spread to other dogs already housed there.
All dogs have been tested and flu virus was positively identified. Due to the contagious nature of the virus, Lake County Animal Control and Adoption Center is neither accepting new pets nor adopting out pets until the virus is completely eradicated from the shelter, a release said.
Samples have been sent to Cornell University in New York for identification of the specific flu strain at the shelter, according to a release. Different strains have different incubation periods. Depending on the particular strain of influenza, the quarantine process could take between 14 and 30 days.
While most dogs at the shelter are no longer symptomatic, an asymptomatic dog can still be contagious so quarantine precautions are necessary to prevent further spread of the illness, officials said.
The shelter’s animals have been receiving veterinary care including antibiotics, support care and nebulizers, since the flu was identified.
All incoming dogs are vaccinated against canine influenza strains H3N2 and H3N8 and they receive boosters after two week. Dogs can still become ill with the flu after vaccination, which is what is suspected in this outbreak, a release said.
