Fairfax County Reports Canine Influenza

By Jamie Rogers
A dog's cold, wet nose becoming a runny nose may be a cue to Fairfax County residents to get to an animal hospital for treatment of a potentially fatal canine disease.  

County veterinarians say cases of canine influenza - a respiratory disease spread between dogs only, and not humans - have already been reported locally.
 
An outbreak of canine influenza prompted the Fairfax County Animal Shelter to stop accepting dogs earlier this summer after one dog died of the virus.

A total of 12 dogs were treated for the virus. The shelter was able to resume intakes in late July. 

In addition to a runny noses, other signs of the disease are coughing, sneezing and a fever. 

The best way to prevent canine influenza is by vaccinating dogs who aren't infected, hospital staff said. There is a specific shot for canine influenza; the bordetella (kennel cough) and distemper vaccines won't prevent canine influenza.

The vaccine is initially administered in two doses given several weeks apart.  After that, a booster shot should be given annually to prevent infection, doctors said.
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