• About
    • About Seattle DogSpot
    • My Dogs
  • Lost Dogs
    • Lost Dog Tips
    • Post Your Lost Dog
  • Adoption & Rescue Tips
  • Advertise
    • Get Featured
    • Free Dog-Friendly Business Decal
  • Contact Us

Seattle DogSpot

Follow Seattle DogSpot on FacebookFollow Seattle DogSpot on InstagramFollow Seattle Dogspot on TwitterFollow Seattle DogSpot on PinterestFollow Seattle DogSpot on YouTube
  • Home
  • Dog News
    • Local News
    • Recalls
  • Dog Friendly Seattle
    • Dog Friendly Businesses
    • Dog Friendly Hotels
  • Where to Play
    • Seattle Area Dog Events
    • Dog Parks
    • Travel With Your Dog
  • Happy Healthy Dog
    • Dog Health & Wellness
    • Dog Training & Behavior
  • Dog Events
    • Master Events Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Reviews
You are here: Home / Dog News / Officials Say New Canine Influenza Strain Could Be in Seattle/King County

Officials Say New Canine Influenza Strain Could Be in Seattle/King County

January 12, 2016 by Seattle DogSpot Leave a Comment

Share This!

Public Health Seattle & King County issued this notice today saying they may have identified a new strain of canine influenza in the area that has sickened “more than a thousand dogs” in several other states.

Image from dailytimesgazette.com.

Image from dailytimesgazette.com.

They discovered the strain, H3N2 canine influenza, after dogs at a local boarding and dog  daycare facility “began getting sick with respiratory symptoms, primarily cough” last month. They did not name the facility. 

This was not a small event. About 80-90 dogs got sick.

They identified the H3N2 strain in 2 dogs that had contact with a sick dog that had been at the facility.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the H3N2 strain is believed to have resulted from “the direct transfer of an avian influenza virus  – possibly from among viruses circulating in live bird markets – to dogs.” The AMVA also noted that since March 2015, “more than 2,000 dogs have been confirmed positive for H3N2 canine influenza across the U.S.” 

H3N2 is extremely contagious, and some dogs will show symptoms in as little as 24 hours after infection.

It can spread by direct contact or contaminated objects like hands and clothes. I can also be transmitted  through air droplets, which can travel up to 20 feet or more.

The virus can live in the environment for about 2 days and on hands and on clothing for up to 24 hours.

Public Health said dogs are most likely to be exposed to the virus are “at places where dogs congregate such as dog parks/beaches, dog daycare and boarding facilities, grooming facilities, and veterinary clinics.”

The AMVA said symptoms of H3N2 canine flu are:

"<yoastmark

  •  soft, moist cough that persists for 10 to 30 days
  • lethargy
  • reduced appetite
  • fever
  •  sneezing and discharge from the eyes and/or nose
  • thick nasal discharge

If your dog shows any of these symptoms get it to a vet immediately.  It’s best to treat the virus in its early stages.

Researchers released a vaccine to treat the H3N2 strain last fall.

Fortunately this flu is generally not deadly. The AMVA says it’s fatal in less than 10% of the dogs that contract it. Fatalities can occur when dogs develop extremely high fevers (104-106 degrees). In these cases, the virus can cause pneumonia which is particularly dangerous to older dogs and dog with compromised immune systems.

You can get more information about H3N2 canine influenza from this notice from Seattle/King County Public Health or dog influenza.com.

I’ll let you know when more information about the H3N2 canine influenza outbreak in Washington when it’s available.

 

 

 

Share This!

Filed Under: Dog News Tagged With: Health

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

www.metrodogseattle.com

www.raindogphoto.com

Find info on more events...

Recent Articles

  • Ginger’s Pet Rescue Paid Over $140k to Staff, Charged Average of $1400+ for Dog Adoption in 2022
  • Will Grays Harbor County Finally Take Action Against Backyard Breeder?
  • Puyallup Dog Rescue Importing Underage Puppies from Mexico
  • Dogs from Furever Homes Rescue Kill Neighbor’s Goats in Olympia
  • Do NOT Adopt a Belgian Malinois After Watching DOG

[Read more…]

This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. If you want to know more or withdraw your consent to the use of cookies, please refer to the cookie policy. By closing this banner, scrolling this page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to the use of cookies. Cookie Policy

Find it here

Contact:

Seattle DogSpot
info@seattledogspot.com

Return to Top of Page

Copyright © 2025 Seattle DogSpot | Seattle Web Design by Original Ginger

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Refund & Return Policy

 

Loading Comments...