Rescued dogs source of local canine influenza

Fido should be just fine despite Essex County earning the distinction of hosting the first recorded cases of canine influenza in Canada.

The two infected dogs were rescued greyhounds originally imported from South Korea through the United States by MotorCity Greyhound Rescue, which offers foster homes and adoption services in Detroit and the Windsor area.

Earlier this week, the WindsorEssex County Health Unit confirmed two cases of H3N2 canine influenza in Essex County.

According to an animal infectious disease specialist from the University of Guelph, the dogs were diagnosed and contained quickly.

“There’s nothing to panic about,” said Scott Weese, a professor with Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College. “We think it’s contained.”

Weese is part of an ongoing investigation into the appearance of canine influenza on this side of the border. The local health unit and the provincial ministries for health and agriculture are also involved.

While canine influenza is highly contagious, Weese noted “we found out early and everyone did a good job containing this.”

According to a news release from the health unit, the dogs arrived in the Windsor area in late December and showed signs of respiratory disease the next day when examined by a veterinarian. The release stated a small number of dogs that had close contact with the affected dogs also have mild respiratory disease but test results to determine if it’s influenza are not yet available.

The owners are confining both the affected and exposed dogs to help prevent further spread.

Weese said the flu virus has a short shelf life of a few days to a few weeks. “If we keep it within this group of dogs, the virus should disappear and that’s the end of it.”

The Ontario Veterinary College also put out a news release about the situation, noting that “most dogs infected with canine influenza virus recover uneventfully.”

It said canine influenza can only be diagnosed through laboratory testing since it presents symptoms similar to other diseases such as kennel cough.

Canine flu is common in Asia and parts of the U.S. “We’ve been waiting for this to happen for a while now,” Weese said of Canada.

The first strain of canine influenza appeared in the U.S. in 2000 while the Asian strain arrived in the U.S. three years ago, Weese said.

The biggest issue for Canadian pooches is that they have no antibodies to fight the flu because they’ve never been exposed to it.

“It’s never been a problem in Canada and hopefully it will continue to not be a problem,” said Alanna Holmes, a veterinarian at Brack Animal Hospital in Windsor and head of the Essex County Veterinarians Association.

Holmes said her clinic has only fielded a few calls about canine flu and has not seen any potential cases come through the door.

She said protecting your pet is a matter of common sense. If you’re out in public with your dog and encounter another that appears to be unwell, coughing or sneezing, stay away from that animal.

Also avoid contact with dogs imported from Asia, U.S. shelters or ones that travel a lot.

If your dog shows signs of respiratory disease, let your vet know so isolation precautions can be taken prior to your clinic visit. There is a canine flu vaccine. The health unit news release said there is no known risk to humans with regard to canine influenza although the risk of mixing the canine virus with human seasonal influenza viruses “is a potential concern.”