Potentially fatal flu virus spreads from horses to dogs

Veterinarians across the country have been alerted about a rare but highly contagious canine flu that has been reported in seven states but not in Missouri.

LaCroix Pet Hospital veterinarian Dr. Ann Seabaugh said the virus is a flu strain that was spread to dogs from horses.

"Currently there is no vaccination against the canine flu because it was only recently detected," she said.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fatality rate is 1 to 10 percent for infected dogs.

Infected dogs will develop a hacking cough, Seabaugh said. In extreme cases, dogs can develop pneumonia.

"Really all we could do is offer supportive measures and treat the dogs with antibiotics," she said. "We would treat the pneumonia as it would present itself."

Skyview Animal Clinic veterinarian Dr. Sean Byrd said the canine flu resembles kennel cough, which is something area veterinarians see on a daily basis.

Kennel cough is caused by a bacteria that can be treated with antibiotics, and a vaccination is available.

While the canine flu hasn't made its way to Missouri, Byrd said the similarity of the symptoms to those of kennel cough could pose detection problem for veterinarians.

Byrd thinks it is possible the canine flu could spread into the area but said it's not something to worry about until there have been confirmed cases. At the same time, Byrd advised pet owners to avoid traveling with their dogs. "We don't want this to spread," he said.

The virus first appeared in the United States in January 2004 at a greyhound racetrack, where eight of 24 infected dogs died. Since then cases have been reported in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Seabaugh said the possibility of the flu making its way into the area does worry her because cases have been confirmed in nearby Iowa.

There has been no indication that the canine flu can be spread to humans.

Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center inspector Shirley Renaud said she has alerted area veterinarians about the canine flu.

jfreeze@semissourian.com