Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Welfare and Canine Influenza

Canine influenza virus is an emerging respiratory pathogen in dogs causing significant illness, welfare costs and mortality in susceptible populations.

Key Facts

H3N2 and H3N8 influenza strains have caused significant outbreaks in dogs in North America and Asia
Canine influenza spreads rapidly through kennels, dog shows and dog parks
Clinical signs include productive cough, nasal discharge, fever and malaise
Vaccination is available in countries where specific strains are circulating
Severe cases can progress to pneumonia with high mortality in immunocompromised dogs

Welfare Considerations

Canine influenza causes significant respiratory suffering and can be fatal. In countries with circulating strains, vaccination and isolation protocols protect individual dogs and limit outbreak spread.

What You Can Do

Consult your veterinarian about canine influenza vaccination if relevant to your location
Isolate coughing dogs from other dogs promptly to limit spread
Stay informed about canine influenza outbreak alerts in your region