Canine Influenza – Update

Update- Dr. Burgess on Canine Influenza

In the Crystal Lake, Algonquin and Lake in the Hills area

• Be aware that any exposure to any other dog that is infected may put your pet at risk. Dogs are able to spread the infection several days prior to showing any symptoms.
• If planning to board, use doggie daycare, visit a dog park, participate in group dog classes, or attend dog events, be aware that your pet may be at greater risk for contracting this infection.
• Contemplate vaccination for Canine Influenza. While the currently available vaccine may not prevent this strain, it does still prevent the original strain which has also been found in some affected Chicago pets. Bottom line is we just do not know enough yet about this new strain, but vaccination for Bordetella and Influenza is what we have available at this point in time.
• Avoiding exposure is the number one preventative.

The American Veterinary Medical Associations thoughts on Canine Influenza.

How common is Canine Influenza diagnosed?
First diagnosed at Greyhound racetracks in 2004, Influenza has subsequently been diagnosed sporadically in pockets throughout the United States. The occurrence is much less frequent in nature than other causes of “kennel cough” or infectious respiratory disease. In spring 2015 there was an increase in respiratory disease seen in downtown Chicago; several of these cases tested positive for Canine Influenza. It is important to remember that while the broadcast news may report “thousands affected” this has not been confirmed and many of these cases may in fact be from other more common causes of kennel cough.

How is Canine Influenza spread?
The virus is spread in respiratory secretions that have been aerosolized or landed on objects that another dog then comes in contact with. Canine Influenza is highly infectious with 80% of exposed dogs developing some form of infection. The 20% that do not become infected can however still spread the disease. Group dog situations (daycare, boarding, dog classes, dog parks, veterinary hospitals) are more apt to encourage the spread of the disease. Objects used with or by infected dogs (bowls, grooming utensils, leashes) can also spread infection.

What are the symptoms of Canine Influenza?
Most dogs infected with Canine Influenza develop minimal signs of a persistent cough lasting for two to three weeks. Nasal discharge, loss of appetite, fever, breathing difficulties, and pneumonia may develop in more severely affected patients. It is thought that the very young and very old are more susceptible. In rare cases, infection and its subsequent complications may be fatal. Any pet that develops signs of an upper respiratory infection that has been recently exposed to other dogs in particular in an area where an outbreak is or has occurred would be considered at higher risk for infection.

How is Canine Influenza treated?
For most dogs, at home care with possible antibiotics and cough suppressants is sufficient. For more severely affected patients, hospitalization for fluid therapy, injectable antibiotics, and oxygen therapy may be necessary.

How is Canine Influenza exposure prevented?
The most reliable prevention is not having exposure to other dogs during an outbreak. Avoiding group dog situations for several weeks until the risk has passed or vaccination is performed would be recommended. It is important to remember that even with vaccination disease will likely not be 100% prevented. From a hygiene standpoint, Canine Influenza stays alive on surfaces for forty eight hours, clothing for twenty four hours, and hands for twelve hours. Cleaning with standard disinfectants such as dilute bleach kills the virus. Dogs that have been exposed to the virus can shed or pass the virus on for two weeks after exposure. More importantly, dogs will shed the virus most in the days prior to showing clinical signs. This emphasized the importance of limiting exposure to other dogs if Canine Influenza has been identified in a region.

What about vaccination?
While there is a vaccine for Canine Influenza, it requires two injections and protection is not provided for two weeks minimum after the second dose is administered. This means if the first vaccination is given today, a pet would not be protected for at least four weeks. The vaccine does not 100% prevent disease or the spread of disease. Considered a non-core vaccination (meaning only recommended for at risk dogs), Canine Influenza has not been a vaccine routinely given in this area. With this recent outbreak vaccination of dogs frequently exposed to other dogs may be recommended. In a large degree, this will depend on the extent the disease spreads and the duration of the outbreak. Healthy Paws Animal Hospital is in the process of obtaining the vaccination for owners that are interested. There are no major side effects associated with vaccination.

What are common signs and problems associated with bladder stones?
Bladder stones often abrade or rub the bladder wall causing irritation. This can lead to blood in the urine and decreased ability to fight off bacterial infections. In severe cases the stone can block the passage of urine out of the bladder causing the bladder to distend and potentially causing life-threatening complications. Owners will often note that their pet has increased urgency to urinate, is urinating more frequently, or having accidents in the house. In some cases the pet may posture to urinate frequently but have a poor stream of urine (dribbling). Pain, inappetance, vomiting, and collapse can all develop with more severe disease.

What causes bladder stones to develop?
The type of stone often helps determine the underlying cause along with the patient’s age, sex, and breed. Some stones (struvite/triple phosphate) are almost exclusively secondary to bacterial infection of the bladder. Other types such as urate or cystine have a genetic correlation with certain breeds having a higher incidence. There are also many cases in which there is not a direct cause and effect in a patient and for whatever reason (physical, metabolic, physiologic) a pet is predisposed to stone formation. Diet has been associated in the past with some stone formation and often diet manipulation is essential in preventing or treating bladder stones.

How is my pet diagnosed with bladder stones?
In some cases larger stones can even be palpated on physical exam. The definitive diagnosis of bladder stones involves visualizing the stones typically via radiographs or ultrasound. While ultrasound may be more expensive at face value, some stones due to their mineral composition or size are not readily visible on radiographs while they would be apparent on ultrasound. Since many pets present initially with symptoms of a urinary tract infection (straining, bloody urine), initial testing often involves collection of urine for examination. This urine sample needs to be sterile or collected directly from the bladder with a needle (similar to a blood draw). Performing a culture on the urine allows diagnosis of specific bacterial infections if present.

What is the treatment for bladder stones?
The treatment for bladder stones depends largely on their specific composition. For some, specific prescription diets will dissolve even existing stones. For other stone types physical removal is necessary either via surgery or a procedure where the stones are expelled with compression of the under anesthesia. In cases of urinary tract obstruction due to a stone immediate intervention either with catheterization or surgery may be necessary.

How are bladder stones prevented?
The specific stone type determines how best to prevent recurrence. Increasing water intake and thus diluting the urine is appropriate for all types of stones. Manipulation of urine acidity via diet or medication is also utilized in many cases. Monitoring for bladder infections that may be silent and periodic radiographs or ultrasound to look for “silent” stones may also be recommended. The ultimate goal is to detect stones at a time where intervention other than surgery is an option.