HEALTH A dozen dogs infected with flu that spread at Florida shows

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A dozen dogs infected with flu that spread at Florida shows
BY TAMARA LUSH
Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.
Health officials have now confirmed a dozen cases of H3N2 canine influenza in Florida, where they say the flu was spreading among animals at two dog shows.

Rossana Passaniti of the University of Florida said Wednesday that the dogs testing positive for the flu were either at a Perry, Georgia, dog show from May 19 to 21 or the Deland, Florida, dog show the next weekend — or were exposed to dogs that had been at those shows.

She said there have been no dog deaths at UF veterinary hospitals.

There is no evidence that the virus infects people, and all the dogs being treated are in stable condition, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The mortality rate for dog flu is low and most dogs recover at home without any complications.

A news release from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville said common symptoms of dog flu include sneezing, nasal discharge and frequent coughing. Symptoms can last for two weeks and be contagious for longer.

"Veterinarians in central and north Florida are treating many dogs that are suspected to have dog flu," the release said, adding that all of the dogs under treatment are in stable condition.

Vaccines do exist for dog flu, and a 21-day quarantine is recommended for dogs with H3N2 strain.

One Deland veterinary clinic wrote on its Facebook page on May 25 that if any clients were at the shows to avoid dog parks, shows or "areas where your dog would have nose to nose contact with other dogs" for the next four weeks. FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital warned clients with dogs exhibiting symptoms to call ahead so that staff can evaluate the animals in their owners' cars, to avoid spreading the contagion.

"More severe cases will be referred to the University of Florida for hospitalization and isolation," the clinic wrote.

It was first detected in South Korea in 2007 before making its way to the United States in 2015. H3N2 made headlines that year after an estimated 1,000 dogs in Chicago contracted the virus.
 

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LOCAL NEWS

Raleigh vet: Canine flu is a 'highly contagious' virus

Posted 6:25 p.m. Thursday
Updated 6:53 p.m. Thursday

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RALEIGH, N.C. — A highly contagious virus affecting dogs made its way to North Carolina, and several cases were confirmed in the Triangle.

Dr. Harold Pearce, of Leesville Animal Hospital, says dog owners need to be proactive when treating canine influenza.

"I believe at this point, we have possibly an explosive situation where this is a highly contagious virus," Pearce said.

Symptoms of canine influenza include coughing, nasal discharge, lethargy and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.

Pearce says not only is it highly contagious, but a dog can have it and the owner may not know. He urges people to protect their pets by getting vaccinated as soon as possible.

"Some of these dogs can actually be infected and spreading the virus for several days before they even become symptomatic," Pearce said.

The death rate for canine influenza is low. Pearce said it is estimated at 3 to 8 percent.

"So we are probably not going to see a large number of dogs that are going to die from this, but we are going to see, potentially an exposure to a large number of dogs, that are going to require treatment," he said. 1

Pearce said his office is treating every coughing dog as if they have the virus by separating them and being extra cautious.

If you're interested in getting the vaccine for your dog, contact your vet.
 

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http://www.techtimes.com/articles/2...e-rise-heres-how-to-keep-your-pet-healthy.htm

Dog Flu Case On The Rise: Here's How To Keep Your Pet Healthy

10 June 2017, 8:04 am EDT By Steve Bowman Tech Times

Dog flu cases were confirmed in North and South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia among other states in the country. The H3N2 or dog flu virus is rearing its ugly head throughout the southern part of the United States.

However, unlike bird flu, the H3N2 virus cannot affect human beings but may make pet dogs sick if the animal comes into contact with other canines carrying the virus. Dogs usually do not show any symptoms of the flu externally, which makes it difficult for pet owners to detect if something is wrong.

Dog Flu Symptoms And Infection Chances
If a pet is exposed to another infected with the dog flu virus, then it is almost certain that the canine would get infected. This is because most of the dogs in the country are not vaccinated against flu. The infection may also be indirectly caused by people who were previously in contact with another dog that contracted the disease.

If an infected dog coughs or sneezes on a human being, the infection can survive on the human skin for two minutes, whereas it can survive for well over a day on clothing, from where it can infect a healthy dog.

Symptoms of the disease do not show up in 20 percent of the dogs, which makes it even more dangerous. These dogs become the germ's carriers, but cannot be treated as they themselves are not sick.

Other dogs who show symptoms usually experience a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing, similar to the flu symptoms in humans.

How To Protect Your Pet From Dog Flu
Flu cases in dogs can be prevented if a little precaution is taken. These preventive methods will ensure that your dog does not get infected with the H3N2 virus.

The first thing to remember is to keep your own dog away from other canines, even if the other pets appear healthy and devoid of any flu-like signs. It is also important to remember that although humans cannot be affected by the H3N2 virus, they can still transfer it to other canines. So, it is advisable to wash your hands after handling other dogs and before touching your own pet. The same goes for your clothes.

The dog flu virus can survive up to 48 hours on hard surfaces. So, it is important to disinfect the surface which may have come in contact with an infected pup. This ensures that the virus does not spread to the healthy pet.

Vaccination may be the most effective way of protecting your dog against the virus. However, make sure that the vet clinic to which you are taking your dog is properly disinfected, and that your pet does not come in contact with other dogs carrying the disease. Two shots of the vaccine are given two to four weeks apart and almost guarantee to keep dogs safe.

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Dog, Dog Flu Symptoms, dog flu, H3N2 Virus
 
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