Pet owners should be on the lookout for a new canine influenza virus that can cause serious respiratory illness in the family dog. This is a new, highly contagious, pathogen in dogs for which there is no vaccine and all dogs are susceptible.

What You Should Know About Canine Influenza

The virus was isolated by the virology laboratory at Cornell University. The CDC sequenced the virus and found it is closely related to equine influenza. This is the first time influenza has been seen in dogs.

The virus appears to have originated several years ago among racing greyhounds and there have been outbreaks at greyhound tracks across the country.

In April of this year, the influenza virus was identified for the first time among non-greyhounds. Initially, it was seen in animal shelters; later, it spread to veterinary clinics and boarding facilities. In August, the Florida State Veterinarian issued an advisory to all animal hospitals in the state.

At the same time, this new canine influenza began to appear in New York and New Jersey. The New York State Department of Agriculture issued an advisory to veterinarians in early September urging them to be on the lookout for this illness.

This is an airborne illness that is easily transmitted. Pets can contract it anywhere dogs congregate -- at the dog park, a shelter, a dog show, etc. The primary early symptoms are cough and lethargy, but the disease can progress to pneumonia.

If your dog develops a cough and has been around other dogs during the previous week or two take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Be sure that canine influenza is considered as a possible cause.