[KOIN Local 6]

For all Portland, Oregon dog owners, KOIN Local 6 reporter (and avid dog lover) Kacey Montoya shows how kennel cough could actually be a cannine version of swine flu.

That story is tonight at 11 p.m.

[KOIN Local 6]

We are doing our best to protect ourselves and our children from the flu—but what about man’s best friend?

There is a newly discovered strain of influenza virus that affects dogs, not humans. Canine Influenza Virus: H3N8.

Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection of dogs caused by a novel influenza virus that was first discovered in 2004. We do not use the general term “dog flu” because it could refer to any flu-like illness in dogs due to various causes. Rather, canine influenza is a specific disease caused by a particular subtype, H3N8, of the influenza A virus.

There have only been two cases confirmed in Oregon in the past 5 years, but local vets say the problem could grow if the canine flu makes its way to the Pacific Northwest.

Symptoms include: Fever, Cough, Runny Nose, and a sleepy dog.

The canine flu is spread through saliva, and dogs who touch nose to nose can transfer the virus.

At this time (October 2009) the canine influenza virus is very prevalent in many communities in Colorado, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania. There is no evidence that canine influenza H3N8 is currently infecting dogs in other countries. And local vets say it is NOT a problem in Oregon at this time.