Dog Flu Infections Affect Dog Care Care Facility In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A contagious illness affecting our furry friends is on the rise in Northern Virginia, according to VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital, a veterinarian in Alexandria. The illness outbreak has also affected dog boarding facilities, as the owner of Your Dog's Best Friends in Alexandria explained.

Canine influenza, more commonly known as dog flu, is a contagious virus causing illness in dogs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the severity of illness can range from no symptoms to severe illness that can lead to pneumonia and sometimes death. While not all dogs will experience symptoms, common symptoms can include cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge and reduced appetite.

Dogs will typically recover from canine influenza in two to three weeks. However, some may get secondary bacterial infections that could cause severe illness and pneumonia. The likelihood of death from canine influenza is small, the CDC says.

No human cases of canine influenza have been recorded, according to the CDC.

VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital noted there has been a rise in infections in Northern Virginia and around the U.S. "exacerbated by holiday travel." According to the CDC, dog flu most commonly spreads among dogs in kennels and shelters. It is believed to spread through respiratory droplets from infected dogs coughing and sneezing.

Your Dog's Best Friends, a pet day care center on Richmond Highway in Alexandria, has not been immune to the outbreak of dog influenza.

Owner Paul Haire said in a video message that the outbreak has hit dog day care and boarding facilities during the peak boarding season during Christmas. The first case was reported on Dec. 26 when about 130 dogs were at the facility. The next day, five dogs were sick.

Haire said dogs with and without symptoms were moved into different rooms that have different HVAC systems. The facility was able to find veterinary care for all of the sick dogs. Then, 20 dogs were sick by the next day.

"We knew we had an outbreak that was not a normal kennel cough," said Haire. "It just doesn't transmit that quickly in any other years. I've been running this place for 17 years, never seen anything like this."

Rather than contact owners to take dogs home and find their own veterinary care, Haire said Your Dog's Best Friends got veterinarians on site. The Arlington Animal Hospital and Caring Hands sent over veterinarians to set up clinics at Your Dog's Best Friends.

VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital encouraged pet owners to reach out if a vaccination is needed. There is a vaccine to protect dogs against the two dog flu viruses — H3N8 and H3N2 canine flu.

Pet owners are encouraged to clean and disinfect clothing, equipment and hands after exposure to dogs with respiratory illness. Pet owners are also encouraged to avoid their dog socializing with others for three weeks if recovering from dog flu.

When taking a dog with respiratory illness to the veterinarian, calling ahead is recommended.

Haire said Your Dog's Best Friends is requiring pet owners whose dog did not get infected to get their dog a flu vaccination. The dog day care center hopes to hold a vaccination clinic within the next week.

"Please get your dog vaccinated for flu on a regular yearly basis," said Haire.