Yeah, it's been a dog-infect-dog world or at least country with many dogs transmitting a highly contagious H3N2 strain of the canine influenza virus (CIV) to each other. If you are human, this CIV strain is highly unlikely to infect you and get you sick.
Dec. 9, 2022 – Flu season is a problem for more than humans. Veterinarians, animal shelters, and kennels are reporting outbreaks of canine flu in spots across the United States.
The signs of this illness in dogs are cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, and reduced appetite, but not all dogs will show signs of illness. The severity of illness associated with canine flu in dogs can range from no signs to severe illness resulting in pneumonia and sometimes death.
Whether they live in or outside of Michigan, Dodd said, dog owners should take this outbreak as a reminder to keep their dogs up to date on their immunizations. “We do not want people to panic over this,” she said. “Parvovirus is something that we see on a regular basis in unvaccinated dogs.”
Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.
In the U.S., people tend to get infected with parvovirus B19 more often in late winter, spring, and early summer. Mini-outbreaks of parvovirus B19 infection occur about every 3 to 4 years. Since parvovirus B19 only infects humans, a person cannot get the virus from a dog or cat.
Your puppy will vomit and have diarrhea if canine parvovirus is present in their system. Vomit may be clear or a yellow or brown color, and diarrhea will often contain blood and be a light yellow or mustard colored hue.
Mystery Virus Killing Dogs in Michigan Confirmed to Be Parvo.
An illness that has sickened dogs in northern Michigan, killing some of them, is confirmed to be canine parvovirus, a common ailment that the affected dogs were not fully vaccinated against, state officials said.
The survival rate of dogs treated by a veterinarian is 68 to 92 percent, and most puppies that survive the first three-to-four days make a complete recovery. Recovery times vary depending on the severity of the case, but it usually takes approximately one week for puppies to recover from parvo.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pets — including cats and dogs — have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 . This happened mostly after the animals were in close contact with people infected with the COVID-19 virus.
There is no cure for dog flu. Treatment is supportive, and your veterinarian can advise you on the best ways to keep your dog comfortable during his illness and recovery. Some dogs may require supportive care, such as fluids, to aid their recovery, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce fevers.
A: CPV-2c is the most recent variant of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), the virus that causes "parvo" enteritis in dogs.
Rabies. Any mammal is capable of being infected with the virus that causes rabies. Most dog parks and organized dog gatherings require proof of rabies vaccination, but some do not. Rabies is caused by the rabies virus and is 100% fatal in animals once they start to show signs of disease.
Both types are highly contagious and spread easily from dog to dog. The H3N2 strain can even be transmitted to and from cats. However, neither type can be spread to or from humans. Your dog can't catch the flu from you.
Parvo is a preventable disease, but even vaccinated dogs are not 100% protected from the virus. Vaccines for the parvovirus are recommended for all puppies and are usually given in a series of three shots when the pup is between 6-to-8 weeks old, again at 10-to-12 weeks, and at 14-to-16 weeks.
The Spread of Canine Parvovirus 'Parvo'
Parvovirus is a very contagious virus that causes extreme gastrointestinal symptoms in puppies and unvaccinated dogs of all ages. The virus is spread through traces of feces from infected dogs.
Parvo can be found in almost any environment. It is transmitted when a susceptible dog comes in contact with the virus. This includes contact with the feces of an infected dog, or objects that contain the virus (shoes, clothes, bedding, bowls, grass, carpets, floors, etc).
Once a puppy has symptoms of parvo, if left untreated they can die within 48 - 72 hours. It can be simply diagnosed and survival is possible if treated soon enough. If left untreated the mortality rate is as high as 91%.
There are no home remedies for parvo. In some cases, if a dog is not severely ill or if expensive treatment is prohibitive, then treatment on an outpatient basis may be attempted with help from the vet.
Parvovirus, commonly known as “parvo,” is a contagious virus that can be very serious and even fatal in dogs. Dr. Jennifer Reinhart, a small animal internal medicine specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, explains that parvo is a problem that can be seen in dogs of any age.
Some find that there is a distinct metallic smell to feces infected with parvovirus. If left untreated, parvo cases can escalate quickly and dehydrate the dog to the point of no return.
How does it spread? Parvovirus is highly contagious and can stay on surfaces and in environments for a long period of time—withstanding heat, cold and humidity. Dogs can contract the virus by interacting with infected dogs, or by coming into contact with contaminated faeces, surfaces or environments.
Symptoms of Parvo
Your dog will not drink water nor eat, and very soon the pup will be stretched out and down on the ground, unable to get back up. They will become limp, weak, and unable to hold themselves up. Parvovirus, when left untreated, is often fatal. It requires veterinary oversight.