New Version of Canine Flu Now Infecting Cats

EVEN THOUGH THIS IS AN ARTICLE IS THREE YEARS OLD, IT IS STILL SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TOO. CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE FROM PETMD

The “new” version of canine flu (H3N2) that began as a 2015 outbreak in the Chicago area is back in the news.

The latest surveillance data available through Cornell University shows that positive test results have been identified in dogs from 29 states. But even more interesting is the recent report from the University of Wisconsin’s School of Veterinary Medicine revealing that a group of cats housed in a Northwest Indiana shelter have tested positive for the H3N2 canine influenza virus.

According to Sandra Newbury, Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the Shelter Medicine Program at University of Wisconsin:

“Suspicions of an outbreak in the cats were initially raised when a group of them displayed unusual signs of respiratory disease,” Newbury says. “While this first confirmed report of multiple cats testing positive for canine influenza in the U.S. shows the virus can affect cats, we hope that infections and illness in felines will continue to be quite rare.”

We already knew that feline infections were possible because South Korea cats were infected with this version of the virus when it was first identified, and one cat did test positive for the disease in the United States last year, but now the University of Wisconsin reports that it “appears the virus can replicate and spread from cat to cat.”

 “Sequential sampling of these individual cats have shown repeated positives and an increase in viral loads over time,” Kathy Toohey-Kurth, virology section head at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory says. Eight cats tested positive on consecutive tests. More had similar clinical signs but “recovered quickly before testing and tested negative.”

Dogs in the shelter did have H3N2 canine influenza when the feline infections were diagnosed, but the cats were housed in a separate part of the facility and the “cat areas were cleaned prior to cleaning the dog areas.” This just goes to show how contagious this particular flu virus can be.

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Microchipping

Microchipping

The thought of a pet running away or being distracted by something running to chase it is a pet owners worst fear.  

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Source: DRTHOMPSONVET.COM

How Often Should my Pet Get a Checkup?

Checkup Schedule

There's a few things to factor into when your pet should get a checkup. Age and breed are the first two things to consider when your pet should get a checkup. Then if your pet has a chronic illness, that is going to be a factor, especially as they get older and the illness progresses. For healthy pets, annual exams should do it until they get to be of senior age. Once they hit the senior age of 7, they should be seen twice a year.

Birth to 1 year

Puppies and kittens are going to need to be seen every 3-4 weeks for vaccines until they are 16 weeks old. Puppies will get their rabies and a 7 in 1 or 9 in 1 vaccines, which includes protection against distemper, adenovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and several strains of leptospira. Kittens will get tested for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus. Once these tests come back negative, your kitty will vaccinated for leukemia as well as rabies, herpes, calici, and distemper. A heartworm and flea-and-tick preventative will also be started and a follow up in 6 months should be scheduled. This is when spay or neuter may be discussed, if not done during the first few visits. 

1-7 years

Your furbaby is officially an adult. Yearly checkups are recommended with head to tail physicals with bloodwork being done on any issues your vet may have noticed during the exam or concerns you've shared. Booster vaccines should be done every 3 years unless your state law says otherwise. 

7 years and older

This is when your pet is considered a senior. Twice a year exams are recommended at this age. They will still get vaccines every 3 years. You should expect to have bloodwork and urine done to check your pets thyroid, liver, and kidney functions. Be sure to mention an out of the ordinary behaviors to your vet as well. If Fluffy isn't as active as they were last week or you notice she's drinking more water, or not drinking any water, not eating, or not excited about going on those daily walks anymore, there could be a problem with her kidneys, she could have developed arthritis, or have another underlying issue going on that should be address. As always, no matter what age your pet, if you suspect something is wrong, take them to the vet even if it's not time for their annual exam.