Dog flu worries rising in Wisconsin

WAUSAU – A virulent strain of dog flu is marching across the Midwest, and it's got pet lovers in central Wisconsin on the alert.

The canine influenza virus has affected at least 1,000 dogs in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, including one confirmed case in Madison, according to the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison.

Understanding how people frequently travel with pets and how easily the flu can spread means that Luanne Moede, owner of First Class Pet Lodge in Wausau, is "trying to be careful and cautious," she said. "My clients are being asked if they travel out of the area (with their dogs). ... Everyone who comes through that door is being informed (about dog flu)."

The dog flu can cause a persistent cough, runny nose and fever. A small percentage of dogs will develop more severe symptoms, experts say, sometimes leading to death. Some dogs don't show any symptoms at all.

This strain of flu is different from one circulating in North America since 2004, the H3N8 strain. Tests from the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the New York State Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University identified the new strain as H3N2.

"It is believed that the H3N2 strain was introduced here from Asia," said Keith Poulsen, WVDL diagnostic and outreach coordinator and clinical assistant professor at UW School of Veterinary Medicine. "The commercially available vaccines for CIV are made to protect against the H3N8 strain, and their effectiveness against the H3N2 strain is unknown at this time, but it is likely to be less effective."

There is no evidence that either dog flu strain is contagious to humans.

Moede, who owns and breeds Leonbergers, has vaccinated her dogs, and she encourages her clients to do the same. Experts say those vaccinations will reduce the impact of H3N8 strain, which is still in circulation.

Renae Dahms, owner of Pawsitively Unleashed, a dog training and exercise center in Stevens Point, said she is "moderately concerned" about the dog flu.

"It's not in this area," Dahms said. "But a lot of people in central Wisconsin compete (in dog shows, agility and other sports) and there is a good potential that it will spread up here."

She owns six Australian shepherds, and in a normal year, she would compete with them in a variety of events, including agility and shepherding. "The last competition we were in was at the end of March, just before the news (about the outbreak) was beginning," Dahms said. "We've just stopped."

Keith Uhlig can be reached at 715-845-0651. Find him on Twitter as @UhligK

Dog flu prevention recommendations

If possible, get your dog vaccinated. It isn't known if commercial vaccines will be effective against the H3N2 strain, they will reduce the incidence and severity of dogs infected with the H3N8 strain.

Avoid bringing your dog in close contact with other dogs.

Wash your hands and change your clothes if you work with or are exposed to sick dogs. Soap and water is very effective at eliminating the virus.

Call your veterinarian if you dog or cat (although the more-familiar H3N8 strain is not known to affect cats, H3N2 has caused infection and respiratory illness in cats) is showing signs of persistent cough, runny nose and fever.

Source: University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine