Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Dogs

Overview and Facts

What is

• Avian Influenza: An Overview

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a subtype of the Influenza-A virus. The Influenza-A virus is the virus which causes influenza in birds. A specific subtype of this Influenza-A virus, named H5N1, is the virus which causes bird flu. The H5N1 virus has been known to infect large flocks of poultry birds in Europe, Asia, and Africa. This virus is also known to infect wild birds in these areas as well.




Read More ›
• Can People Get Avian Influenza?
Historically, influenza viruses are believed to cycle from birds to swine and from swine to people.

Read More ›

Causes

• Causes of Avian Influenza in Dogs and Cats

While cats and dogs have been known to become infected with avian influenza, the exact mode of the infection is unclear. It is assumed that these animals become infected with the virus when they ate poultry or wild birds which were infected with the avian influenza. It is unknown if cats and dogs can then spread the virus to one another, but for now this type of transmission is considered to be unlikely.




Read More ›

Prevention

• Preventing the Spread of Avian Influenza
Avoid visiting areas where you may come into contact with live birds, such as poultry farms, live bird markets or any other area where birds congregate. This is most important in countries experiencing an outbreak of high pathogenic avian influenza.

Read More ›

Symptoms and Types

Symptoms

• Symptoms of Avian Influenza in Dogs

Symptoms that dogs may develop if they become infected with avian influenza are still not entirely clear. There have only been a few reports of dogs which have tested positive for avian influenza, but whether the symptoms they displayed were the result of their infection with the virus or some other medical issue is unknown.




Read More ›

Treatment and Care

Treatment

• Treating Avian Influenza in Dogs
Recent reports of avian influenza, or bird flu, that has spread to cats and dogs have been greatly exaggerated. To date there is only one confirmed reported case of the avian influenza occurring in a dog; this case occurred in the Republic of Azerbaijan, located in Eurasia, and the dog did not survive.

Read More ›