Dog Flu Hits Florida: Symptoms, Treatment For Canine Influenza That Hit US In 2015

The state of Florida has its first cases of H3N2 canine influenza, also known as the “dog flu” with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announcing it Tuesday.

This is not the first time dog flu has hit the U.S. In April 2015, more than 1,000 pooches were diagnosed with it in Chicago and other parts of the Midwest, while the Atlanta area received 55 confirmed cases as of June 25.

Since last week, veteranarians at the University of Florida have treated about seven dogs and are awaiting results on another six. Several dogs had to be hospitalized, but the state’s chief vet, Dr. Michael Short said all are in stable condition, Miami Herald reported.

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There are several symptoms of dog flu all owners need to be aware of. Dog flu can range from mild to severe and, unlike human influenza, is not seasonal. Dogs affected by the virus will have symptoms like coughing (both moist and dry), sneezing, nasal discharge, purulent nasal discharge, runny eyes, fever, lethargy and difficulty in breathing, according to American Kennel Club.

Although, most cases of dog flu are mild, severe cases do occur as well. In these cases, dogs develop pneumonia, difficulty in breathing, and a high fever. Fortunately, the mortality rate of dog flu is relatively low, with less than 10 percent of dog flu cases resulting in fatalities. Dog owners should still take their dogs to the vet, as secondary infections can develop from the virus, reports said.

“It’s very contagious, so you have to be careful,” said Dr. Marta Lista of Trail Animal Hospital, who was alerted last week and so far has not seen any suspected cases. “Most dogs don’t have immunity and they don’t have vaccines," according to Miami Herald.

There is no evidence the H3N2 canine influenza virus infects people, according to FDACS.

The virus that causes canine flu has been classified as H3N8 and H3N2, based on the amino acid composition of the hemaglutinin and neuraminidase glycoproteins in the lipid outer layer of the capsid, according to American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

The influenza was limited to Korea, China and Thailand until March 2015, when an outbreak that started in the Chicago area was determined to be due to an H3N2 strain.

"Treatment for this flu largely consists of supportive care. This helps the dog mount an immune response. In the milder form of the disease, this care may include medication to make your dog more comfortable and fluids to ensure that your dog remains well-hydrated. Broad spectrum antibiotics may be prescribed by your veterinarian if a secondary bacterial infection is suspected," according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Affected animals should be isolated to prevent transmission of the virus. Dogs infected with H3N2 canine influenza should be isolated for a minimum of 21 days, according to AVMA.