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Canine Influenza Virus - Please be aware!!!!!

Canine Influenza virus is real...and is potentially fatal.

This past year the great Dane Community lost one of our own Tank Greatdane to this terrible 
illness.

We do not want Tank's passing to be in vain.  we want to ensure the public is educated.

Tank served his community in raising funds for other dogs in need as well as simply being a wonderful ambassador of the breed.  Tank put the Gentle in Gentle Giant.


BUT WE WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT CIV...

What Is Canine Influenza Virus? 
There are many causes of kennel cough, both bacterial and viral. Canine influenza virus (CIV) is one of the viral causes of kennel cough. This highly contagious respiratory disease has affected thousands of dogs in the United States. Because CIV is a relatively new virus, most dogs have not been exposed to it before. Dogs of any age, breed and vaccine status are susceptible to this infection.

How Could My Dog Catch Canine Influenza Virus?

CIV is easily transmitted between dogs through a combination of aerosols, droplets and direct contact with respiratory secretions. The virus does not survive for a long time in the environment, so dogs usually get CIV when they are in close proximity to other infectious dogs.

Which Dogs Are Prone to Canine Influenza Virus? 

Any dog who interacts with large numbers of dogs is at increased risk for exposure. Pet owners should consult their veterinarian for information about vaccination against canine influenza virus.

What Are the General Symptoms of Canine Influenza Virus? 

While most dogs will show typical symptoms of kennel cough, a small percentage of dogs will develop a more severe illness. Symptoms of canine influenza virus include:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Variable fever
• Clear nasal discharge that progresses to thick, yellowish-green mucus
• Rapid/difficult breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy 

Can Dogs Die From Canine Influenza Virus?

Sadly as in the case of tank....the answer is yes.  Often if CIV is quickly diagnosed and treated, the fatality rate is quite low. Deaths are usually caused by secondary complications, such as pneumonia. It is very important that dogs with CIV receive proper veterinary care.

How Is Canine Influenza Virus Diagnosed?

Veterinarians will typically conduct a thorough physical examination and run a series of tests to diagnose the illness.

How Is Canine Influenza Treated?

Because CIV is a virus similar to the flu in humans, there is no specific antiviral medication available. However, supportive care and appropriate treatment of secondary infections are important. Your veterinarian may advise the following to soothe your dog while the condition runs its course:

• Good nutrition and supplements to raise immunity
• A warm, quiet and comfortable spot to rest
• Medications to treat secondary bacterial infections
• Intravenous fluids to maintain hydration
• Workup and treatment for pneumonia

Be advised, while most dogs will fight the infection within 10 to 30 days, secondary infections require antibiotics and, in the case of pneumonia, hospitalization.

What Should I Do if I Think My Dog Has Canine Influenza Virus? 

If you think your dog has canine influenza virus, immediately isolate him from all other dogs and call your veterinarian.

Can I Catch Canine Influenza From My Dog?

No. There is no evidence that dogs can transmit CIV to humans.

How Can I Help Prevent My Dog From Spreading the Disease? 

Any dog infected with CIV should be kept isolated from other for 10-14 days from the onset of symptoms. Dogs are most infectious before symptoms are apparent, and can continue shedding the virus for around 10 days. This means that by the time symptoms are seen, other dogs may have already been exposed.

I Foster/Work With Multiple Dogs. What Advice Do You Have For Me?

 The risk of CIV is always present. That’s why it’s important to work with a veterinarian to develop a plan of action in the event of an outbreak. You’ll want to diagnose and treat the issue promptly.

• Routinely monitor animals for signs of illness and keep medical records.
• Isolate sick animals from healthy animals, especially those with signs of respiratory disease.
• Wash hands with soap and water after handling each animal.
• Gloves should be worn when handling infected dogs or cleaning contaminated cages.
• Use antibiotics with care.
• Remember that CIV is generally a very treatable disease. 

Update for Veterinarians

Canine Influenza Virus:

The Canine Influenza Virus subtype H3N8 was first identified in January, 2004 during an outbreak of respiratory infection amongst Florida racing greyhounds. This virus is an Influenza A virus and is closely related to the equine influenza virus. In fact, canine influenza is now considered to have originated when the equine influenza virus “jumped” species during the 1990’s. Since the first identified outbreak, there have been reports of respiratory disease in racing dogs as well as shelter dogs in Florida, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Colorado. More recently there have been documented reports of additional influenza subtypes infecting dogs which include avian-origin influenza H3N2 in South Korea in 2007, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in southeast Asia in 2006 and the new North American H1N1 in New York State in 2009.

Clinical Signs

The most well characterized subtype in the United States, H3N8, can cause two clinical syndromes. The majority of dogs develop the milder syndrome, involving a cough that persists for 10 to 21 days despite therapy with antibiotics and cough suppressants. This syndrome can also include purulent nasal discharge and a low-grade fever. The more severe disease involves pneumonia, including a high fever (104º to 106º F) and increased respiratory rate and effort. Thoracic radiographs may show consolidation of lung lobes. Dogs with pneumonia often have a secondary bacterial infection and have responded best to a combination of broad-spectrum, bactericidal antibiotics and intravenous fluid therapy. Because this is a new pathogen almost all dogs are susceptible to infection and an estimated 80% of exposed dogs develop clinical signs. The case-fatality rate in the initial outbreak was high (8 of 22 ill dogs died, for a 36% case-fatality rate), but since then case-fatality has been reportedly low (1 to 5%).
Incubation and infectious periods (H3N8 subtype): Clinical signs appear two to five days after exposure. Infected dogs may shed virus for seven to 10 days from the onset of clinical signs. An estimated 20% of infected dogs will not show clinical signs and can become asymptomatic sources of infection
Other Influenza A viruses also affect dogs. Influenza subtype H3N2-induced disease is characterized as causing severe lower respiratory tract disease and appears to have a high mortality rate. Differences in pathogenicity are believed to be due to the whole virus adaptation from an avian virus into a naïve population. HPAI H5N1 has been associated with severe respiratory disease and fatal infection in a dog in Thailand after ingestion of infected chicken tissue. Lastly, influenza subtype H1N1 infection in New York State was reported in 2009 causing pneumonia but the dog recovered with supportive care. The owner of the dog was previously diagnosed with H1N1 and it is believed transmitted the virus to the dog.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of canine influenza subtype H3N8 infection at this time is most reliably done by detecting antibodies to the virus. We recommend testing acute and convalescent sera. Canine influenza serology testing is performed at Cornell University. Collection of oropharygeal swabs or tracheal wash samples on febrile dogs early in the course of the disease may be submitted on ice pack to WADDL for detection of viral RNA by polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) for all Influenza A virus subtypes. Tissues (lung, bronchiolar lymph nodes) from dogs that have died acutely can be submitted to WADDL, a portion fixed in buffered formalin, and fresh tissues submitted on ice pack for PCR. Contact WADDL at 509-335-9696 if any questions arise.

Prevention:

There is a newly released vaccine available for the protection against clinical signs associated with canine influenza subtype H3N8. At this time it is regarded as a “non-core” vaccine in the Pacific Northwest, meaning that the vaccine is not routinely recommended unless there were risks associated with horses, racetracks, greyhounds, etc. Dog owners travelling with their dogs to shows in the aforementioned states would be advised to see their veterinarian to decide if the risks warrant vaccination. The infection rate and disease potential with canine influenza are much lower than canine distemper, canine parvovirus, and canine adenovirus, which are considered “core” vaccines for all dogs. The duration of protective immunity (DOPI) and frequency of boosters have not yet been well defined for the canine influenza vaccine. However, an annual booster is recommended by the manufacturer (Intervet data, 2009). This vaccine is not cross-protective to the other influenza subtypes infecting dogs, and there are no vaccines currently available for the other subtypes available for use in dogs.

Public Health Concerns:

There is no evidence that canine influenza subtype H3N8 and H3N2 can infect humans and thus does not pose a public health risk. H5N1 and H1N1 have been shown to infect humans however there have been no reports of dog to human transmission of the viruses.

References:

Crawford PC, et al. Transmission of equine influenza virus to dogs. Science 310: 482-485, 2005.

Daly JM, et al. Transmission of equine influenza virus to english foxhounds. Emerg. Infect Dis 14: 461-464, 2008.

Deshpande MS, et al. Experimental reproduction of canine influenza virus H3N8 infection in young puppies. Vet Therapeutics 10: 29-39, 2009.

Dubovi EJ and Njaa BL. Canine Influenza. Vet Clin No Amer. Small Ani Prac 38: 827-835, 2008.

Harder et al. Influenza virus infections in dogs and cats. Vet. Imm. And Immunopath. 134: 54-60, 2010

Jung et al. Pathology in dogs with experimental canine H3N2 influenza virus infection. Res. In Vet. Sci. Article in press, 2010.

Solomon R and Webster RG. The influenza virus enigma. Cell 136:402-410, 2009.

Songserm et al. Fatal avian influenza A H5N1 infection in a dog. Emer. Inf. Dis. 12:1744-7, 2006

Yamanaka T, et al. Interspecies transmission of equine influenza virus (H3N8) to dogs by close contact with experimentally infected horses. Vet Microbiol 139:351-355, 2009.


www.diagcenter.vet.cornell.edu

www.avma.org

www.healthypets.com

Compiled by J. Evermann and C. Huntsberry, WADDL

Rest in peace Tank.  We will not forget you.

Titan Laycock announced as Hottest New Dog Model

Titan is announced globally as the hottest new star when it comes to Canine Models.  With company after company clamoring to get their hands on him to promote their newest products, Titan's owners are choosing wisely.

Titan has such a regal stature that he is the top dog in the fresh new faces of the modelling world.

But, the most amazing thing about this royal canine is the donates all of his earnings and proceeds to shelters in his area.  You see, Titan is an adoption himself.  But he was lucky enough to have gone from a loving family, to a loving family...unlike his new pack mate Charlie.  Charlie is a rescue dog.  and Titan loves him very much.

So as Titan takes the internet and TV by storm, remember that he is one benevolent canine too.

Titan - Superstar of the Dane world

Buying a Great Dane Puppy??

Buying a puppy? Or thinking of buying a puppy? How exciting! This page is intended to provide some general information for the potential Great Dane owner. We could not possibly cover every aspect of this wonderful breed so specific details are best discussed with the breeder with whom you are considering the purchase of a puppy. There are however, some important points we would like to share with you.

 • Great Danes are giants in the dog world. That means more food, more exercise and more expensive veterinary costs. Be sure you can afford to keep a Dane in good health!

• As with any dog, regular exercise and training is important - with large or giant dogs it is essential. These dogs grow very quickly and investing the time to socialize and train your puppy while they are young cannot be overstressed An uncontrollable, unruly or poorly trained 150 lb dog is a disaster waiting to happen.
Some excellent books on puppy rearing are available:
- How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With (Rutherford & Neil), Alpine Publications, 1992.

• Like many other purebred dogs, Danes come with their own set of health risks. One of the most common (and most dangerous) is bloat. Bloat is also known as gastric torsion, a condition in which the stomach fills with gas, twists and is unable to escape. This is a life-threatening condition and every Dane owner should be aware of the signs of bloat, as well as the precautions that can be taken to reduce the risk of this happening. Not all danes bloat, but it can happen with any bloodline if the conditions are right. Please see these links for valuable bloat information that every Dane owner should have:
Bloat in Large Dogs  and Gastric Torsion in Dogs ( both highly recommended reading)

• Danes have critical growing periods. These are stages in their lives, usually within their first year, where their nutritional needs must be met if the dog is to achieve his full potential. Skimping here will result in a poorly matured dog.

Not frightened away yet? GREAT! Because Great Danes are one of the most people oriented dogs around. They make excellent companions! They have a gentle and pleasing nature with a proud dignified bearing. You should know up front that Danes thoroughly enjoy their creature comforts and will happily take over the couch if permitted!

The Great Dane is known as the "Apollo of all dogs." Incised on some Greek money dating back to 36 B.C. is the image of a dog very similar to the Great Dane of today. An illustration dating back to approximately 600 B.C. shows Assyrian huntsmen with Dane-like dogs. In 407 A.D. German Gaul and part of Italy and Spain were invaded by an Asiatic people who brought with them powerful mastiff-like dogs. In Germany especially, where these magnificent animals capable of overcoming bears and wild boars were much admired, a process of selective breeding was begun. The dogs were crossed with Irish Greyhounds, and the result was the beautiful, large dog known today as the Great Dane.
From the middle to the late 1800s, breeders both in Germany and England became very interested in the breed and more or less developed it to the standards, which are recognised today. It has been claimed that the Great Dane is German in origin, which is not certain. However, what is evident, is that German breeders contributed largely to bringing the Great Dane to its glory of today.
Why the breed is called under different names is uncertain. The breed did not originate in Denmark, yet in most English speaking countries the breed is called 'Great Dane', in most of central Europe it is recognised as 'Deutsche Dogge', though in France, it is recognised as both 'Dogue Allemand' and 'Danois'. In Holland, 'Duitse Dogge' and 'Deense Dogge' and in Italy it is called 'Alano'. In 1880, Germany adopted the Great Dane as its national dog and was called the Deutsche Dogge and in England the breed was recognised by the Kennel Club in 1884 as the Great Dane.

 It is strongly recommended that buyers wishing a purebred puppy purchase ONLY a registered Great Dane. It is only in this way that you will be guaranteed a purebred puppy and it reflects the committment and sincerity of the breeder.

Purchasing an unregistered Great Dane is unwise on many fronts. Will this 'breeder' stand behind the puppy? What if inherited health issues arise - are they prepared to replace the puppy or refund your money? Have the parents been tested clear of eye, thyroid or hip problems? Can you call them for advice on your puppy or with any problems you may encounter? Likely not.

We recommend that you begin your search with reputable breeders who are members of the Great Dane Club of Canada. Should one not be able to supply you with the type of puppy you are looking for, they can refer you to other known reputable breeders.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Great Dane Puppy
In choosing a purebred puppy you assure yourself of many characteristics, which your adult dog will have. A healthy puppy is round and robust. It should be friendly and outgoing-a bundle of kisses and tail wags. At the puppy stage, they should be playful. The coat should be shiny and the eyes bright. A mentally sound puppy should not be shy or reserved. This may be the sign of an unsteady or nervous temperament.

You should inquire about the health of the Great Danes in the breeder's line and the temperament of the dogs. Although it is not always possible to meet the sire of the puppies it should usually be possible to meet the dam. Her manner will provide you with a good indication of the temperament of the line. A good breeder knows the background of the puppies and should be a good source of information to the to the purchaser. They should be available for support throughout your dog's life.  All breeders with years of experience will have encountered some health issues. Any long time breeder who claims to have never had health issues should be avoided.

Registration
Registration of your new Great Dane is the responsibility of the breeder of your dog. The Canadian Kennel Club is the registration body for puppies born in Canada while the American Kennel Club is the registration body in the United States of America. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club under the jurisdiction of the Federal Department of Agriculture's Animal Pedigree Act administers the conditions of registration. This Act states that registration papers must be provided for any animal sold as purebred, at no additional cost to the purchaser within six months of the date of sale. The Act provides for stiff penalties for those persons not adhering to these conditions.

Terms of Sale
The terms of sale of your Great Dane puppy should be in writing between you and the breeder. This agreement should contain information about the expectation that the breeder has of the purchaser such as the signing of a non-breeding contract, the diet to be fed, the immunization protocol to be followed. For example, there it may be wise to discuss the matter of ear cropping. Although many breeders !crop the ears on the puppies they sell, they are others who refuse to allow any of their puppies to be cropped. Most breeders tend to be more flexible. If you are uncertain about any of the terms of sale it is important that they be clarified prior to the sale. If you cannot accept the terms it is best not to proceed with the purchase until both you and the breeder are in agreement over the terms of the sale. Details may become very important if a problem does arise in the future. Even the with most conscientious breeders problems may arise. Some breeders feel that if any part of the agreement is violated that the whole agreement is invalid.

Colors of Great Danes:
  Danes come in six acceptable colors: Fawn, Brindle, Black, Blue, Boston (Mantle), and Harlequin.

Fawn: a golden yellow with a black mask on the face.
Brindle: Golden base coat with defined black striped laid over as chevrons..almost tiger striped appearance.
Black: Solid black colored dog..
Blue: a steel gray solid color
Boston/Mantle: this pattern is best described as marked like a penguin, must have a white tail tip or is not considered a true Boston.
Harlequin: A white dane with torn black patches distributed over the body.
For more details please go to the breed standard.

These colors are acceptable to show in conformation for a Canadian championship. Although a mismarked dane can be born in a litter, they are registerable as they are purebred, from registered parents. A mismark is a colour not acceptable for competition in comformation (ie. merle, harls with too much black, blacks with large white spots on their body, brindles with little or no fawn base color, etc) Aside from the colour, mismarked colored danes still can preform in functions scantioned by the Canadian kennel club, just not in conformation. They are as equally wonderful a pet as a conformation-marked dane.

Caveat: Don't be fooled - there are no 'rare' coloured Great Danes. Don't walk, run from any breeder claiming to have a 'rare' coloured dane.

 Great Danes, as a giant breed grow very quickly, but do not fully mature until they are about two years of age or older. Some breeders do not feel that they are fully mature until 3 or 4 years of age. In this growing process they do pass through some very awkward stages. Growth plates are changing, bones are moving, cartilage is forming. Injuries during a puppy's first year may become permanent problems for the dog. Too much exercise at an early age is detrimental to good development. Forced exercise is not recommended for this breed - puppies should be allowed to play until they are tired.

The following weight chart gives an overview of the growth pattern of Great Danes.

 Immunization and vaccination:
Traditionally all dogs received their first immunization at six weeks of age, followed by a 2nd vaccine four weeks later and a 3rd four weeks after that. At six months of age there was to be another dose and a usually a rabies vaccine as well. This was to be followed by yearly vaccines.

Many veterinarians and breeders no longer believe that it is beneficial or wise to subject the immune system of a young puppy to this number of vaccines. The protocol for the reduced numbers of vaccines is still being developed. Most breeders are immunizing their puppies in some form and will be able to share information regarding the vaccines they are recommending with the new owner.

There are breeders who feel that vaccination in any form is detrimental to the health of your puppy and recommend a homeopathic or holistic approach. The experience breeders have had with their dogs will determine the advice they provide.
Much work is still being done by veterinarian research centers to determine what vaccines are beneficial and necessary for the optimum health of your puppy.

***
this page are intended for educational use and we cannot take responsibility for their content. Nothing should take the place of seeking veterinary attention. If in doubt we strongly recommend you contact your breeder or veterinarian.

Why do Dogs eat Grass?

Dogs love to munch away on grass, and some even make it part of their daily routine. Fortunately, most experts believe it isn't something you should worry about. So why exactly do they gobble up that green stuff in your yard?

Scavengers 'R Us

Dogs, unlike their catty counterparts, are not carnivores. But they're not like your garden-variety omnivores, either. For tens of thousands of years, these opportunistic scavengers have devoured anything and everything, as long as it fulfilled their basic dietary requirements.

The modern dog, partly because of evolution and domestication, is no longer like its ancestors, which frequently ate their prey entirely, including the stomach contents of plant-eating animals. Instead, dogs today seek out plants as an alternative food source. Most commonly the plant is grass -- since that is what is closest at hand -- but wild canines are known to eat fruits, berries, and other vegetable matter, too.

Clearly, dogs can find their nutrients in a wide range of plant foods, but that doesn't explain why Fido usually throws up after eating grass.

When the Tummy's Grumblin'

A dog will seek out a natural remedy for a gassy or upset stomach, and grass, it seems, may do the trick. When ingested, the grass blade tickles the throat and stomach lining; this sensation, in turn, may cause the dog to vomit, especially if the grass is gulped down rather than chewed.

Although dogs don't typically graze on large amounts of grass like a cow, they may nibble on grass, chew on it for a while, and not throw up (an unwell dog will tend to gulp the grass down in big bites and then throw up). This may be because they find the texture of the grass palatable, or just because they need to add a little roughage to their diet.

Nutritional Necessity

Whatever the reason may be, most experts see no danger in letting your dog eat grass. In fact, grass contains essential nutrients that a dog might crave, especially if they're on a commercial diet. If you notice that your dog has been munching away on grass or houseplants, then you may want to introduce natural herbs or cooked vegetables into their diet. Dogs aren't finicky like cats, but they're not too fond of raw veggies either. They're kind of like big furry kids that way.

So, when you think about it, grass munching isn’t that bad at all. However, watch out for a sudden increase in grass eating; it could be a sign of a more serious underlying illness that your dog is trying to self treat, and that requires immediate veterinary assistance.

You may also want to buy a small tray of grass just for the dog, or start an herbal home garden. This will give your poor pooch an alternative to the outdoor grass and landscaping, the eating of which could lead to accidental ingestion of pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals that have been used to treat your (or your neighbor's) yard.

*cited from PetMD.com

Every dog Must have a Soul

Every dog must have a soul
Somewhere deep inside
Where all his hurts and grievances
Are buried with his pride.
Where he decides the good and bad,
The wrong way from the right,

And where his judgement carefully
Is hidden from our sight.
A dog must have a secret place
Where every thought abides,
A sort of close acquaintance that
He trusts in and confides.
And when accused unjustly for
Himself, He cannot speak,
Rebuked, He finds within his soul
The comfort he must seek.

He'll love, tho'he is unloved,

And he'll serve tho'badly used,
And one kind word will wipe away
The times when he's abused.
Altho' his heart may break in two
His love will still be whole,
Because God gave to every dog
An understanding Soul!

Happy Halloween

Beautiful Great Danes

Happy halloween Great Dane style

Happy Halloween Everyone!!

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Goliath the Great Dane pup tells you why NOT to neuter too soon

With Great Danes... it IS important to wait until between 10-13 months to neuter...

Its because of growth plates. dogs that are prematurely neutered's growth plates do not close at the appropriate time, causing over lengthening of the long bones in the legs; increasing incidence of orthopedic disorders.

The sex hormones close the growth plates, so the bones of dogs neutered or spayed before puberty continue to grow. This growth frequently results in a dog that does not have the same body proportions as he/she was genetically meant to. if the femur is normal length at 8 months when a dog gets spayed or neutered, but the tibia, which normally stops growing at 12 to 14 months of age continues to grow, then an abnormal angle may develop in the leg. In addition, with the extra growth, the lower leg below the knee becomes heavier (because it is longer), causing increased stress on the skeletal system of the legs.

[cited from a clinical study]

A study by Salmeri et al in 1991 found that bitches spayed at 7 weeks grew significantly taller than those spayed at 7 months, who were taller than those not spayed (or presumably spayed after the growth plates had closed).(1) A study of 1444 Golden Retrievers performed in 1998 and 1999 also found bitches and dogs spayed and neutered at less than a year of age were significantly taller than those spayed or neutered at more than a year of age.(2) The sex hormones, by communicating with a number of other growth-related hormones, promote the closure of the growth plates at puberty (3), so the bones of dogs or bitches neutered or spayed before puberty continue to grow. Dogs that have been spayed or neutered well before puberty can frequently be identified by their longer limbs, lighter bone structure, narrow chests and narrow skulls. This abnormal growth frequently results in significant alterations in body proportions and particularly the lengths (and therefore weights) of certain bones relative to others. For example, if the femur has achieved its genetically determined normal length at 8 months when a dog gets spayed or neutered, but the tibia, which normally stops growing at 12 to 14 months of age continues to grow, then an abnormal angle may develop at the stifle. In addition, with the extra growth, the lower leg below the stifle likely becomes heavier (because it is longer), and may cause increased stresses on the cranial cruciate ligament. In addition, sex hormones are critical for achieving peak bone density.(4) These structural and physiological alterations may be the reason why at least one recent study showed that spayed and neutered dogs had a higher incidence of CCL rupture.(5) Another recent study showed that dogs spayed or neutered before 5 1/2 months had a significantly higher incidence of hip dysplasia than those spayed or neutered after 5 1/2 months of age, although it should be noted that in this study there were no standard criteria for the diagnosis of hip dysplasia.(6) Nonetheless, breeders of purebred dogs should be cognizant of these studies and should consider whether or not pups they bred were spayed or neutered when considering breeding decisions.

[end of cited text]

In Conclusion..basically, neutering before maturity causes the long bones to grow beyond the length they were meant to... and grow much lighter and weaker, so no... it does NOT stunt their growth... many times in fact it actually makes them grow TALLER... but disproportionately and unhealthily... creating a heavy dog atop a very lanky and weak set of legs.