by Dr. Linda Czisny
Shelter Veterinarian
Town Lake Animal Center - Austin
I am sure you are all aware that we are seeing an increase in the numbers of dogs with respiratory illness. The dogs exhibit a variety of symptoms such as coughing (dry hacking cough to somewhat moist cough), fever, nasal discharge and lethargy. Most dogs have mild symptoms, are active during the course of the illness and continue to eat well. Sometimes the recovery period is as long as 2 to 4 weeks.
Of course the question many are asking is what is causing this uncommon increase in respiratory disease in our shelter dogs. The newly identified canine flu has gotten a lot of attention from the media lately. It is an influenza virus (H3N8) that was previously associated with horses. It was first identified in Florida greyhounds and since has been found in dogs in Massachusetts, Arizona, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Iowa and New York. In the fall of 2004, the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) identified the virus in greyhounds at a Houston Track. Since then TVMDL reports it has not found any other positive dogs in Texas. Another lab at Cornell University has also tested dogs from Texas and has not identified any positive cases of the influenza virus. A veterinarian at a shelter in South Texas reports similar signs as we are seeing. He has tested a number of dogs for the canine influenza virus and has not had any test positive.
We are also monitoring for this disease. One way to test for the virus is to take a blood sample at the beginning of the illness and then again two weeks later. The samples are tested for an increase in the antibodies to the virus which would indicate an active infection. Virus isolation from the respiratory tract is another way of testing for disease.
Regardless of the exact cause of the respiratory signs we are seeing, respiratory diseases are all spread in the same way - through contact with secretions from the respiratory passages, through sneezing, coughing and direct contact with nasal discharge. Respiratory bugs, including the canine influenza virus are fortunately very susceptible to all common disinfectants. We have re-emphisized the disinfection protocles wwithin the shelter that are necessary to help prevent the spread of all diseases. Staff have been reminded to disinfect hands between animals, use a new leash for each animal, thoroughly clean all surfaces of a cage/kennel before using again, thoroughly clean all equipment used for transport animals. It has also been decided that a temporary isolation area is necessary to isolate dogs that are sick in order to try to prevent the spread of illness. Additional signage is being created reminding the public to disinfect hands and to use a new leash for each dog. Staff will gently remind customers to disinfect hands between handling animals and when walking an adoption dog to not let the dog interact with other dogs in their kennels. Hopefully if we are all a little more diligent we can eliminate the respiratory bug from our premise.