Canine Influenza Virus (CIV): Frequently Asked Questions
CIV is a highly contagious viral infection which can spread rapidly and cause serious illness. We must do everything possible to prevent an outbreak and protect the pets who visit our facility.
What is CIV?
CIV is a highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) Type A. There are 2 known strains in the United States: H3N8 and H3N2. Over the last few years CIV has spread across the U.S., including intermittent cases diagnosed in the Kansas City metro area.
What are the symptoms of CIV?
The symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases and include fever, coughing, runny nose, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Up to 20% of infected dogs develop a serious infection with pneumonia. Seniors, puppies, and brachycephalic breeds often become sicker and require additional medical treatment.
With proper medical care most dogs recover, but CIV is fatal in a small percentage of the cases that develop pneumonia.
How is CIV spread?
Identification and prevention of contact with contagious pets is impossible because dogs start spreading the virus 2-4 days before showing symptoms. Infected dogs continue to spread the virus for several weeks.
It spreads through direct contact (nose touching, doggie kisses), through the air (breathing, coughing, sneezing), and on objects like toys, doors, walls, floors, clothes, and hands.
The inability to identify contagious pets and the rapid spread via multiple routes makes it very difficult to prevent spread of the infection to unvaccinated dogs.
Which dogs are at highest risk?
Dogs who have any contact with other dogs are at risk. Those who participate in boarding, grooming, daycare, dog shows, dog parks, training classes, events like Dogtoberfest, pet store visits, etc. are at higher risk.
Neighborhood dogs and dogs belonging to friends or family also pose a potential exposure risk to your pets. Keep in mind that an infected dog can appear perfectly healthy.
Since this is a new virus, dogs have no natural immunity. During an outbreak 80-90% of unvaccinated dogs will get sick and require intensive treatment. Eradication from a facility with an outbreak requires a minimum 2 week closure to remove all sick dogs and decontaminate the environment.
Is vaccination for CIV safe and effective?
A bivalent vaccine against both Canine Influenza Virus strains, H3N8 and H3N2 is safe and effective. Immunity requires an initial vaccine, a booster 2 weeks later, then annual boosters with the other vaccines
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