Veterinary

2016 SUMMER EDITION

Ensure that your pet is 

protected from insects by 

using a veterinary-approved 

product 

“

”

Protect the Ones You 

Love from Bugs

News about Animal Health, Food Safety, and One Health.

Army Public Health Center

Insects abound in our world. It doesn’t matter where you are on 

the planet, insects are there sharing the environment with you and 

your pet. While butterflies are beautiful and ladybugs are cute, some 

other insects can share far more than joy. They can carry diseases 

that can infect you and your pet. These types of insects are known 

as “vectors,” and the diseases they carry are called “vector-borne 

diseases.”

The vector-borne diseases that exist in your part of the world 

depend on which insects live in the region. Common insects 

capable of transmitting diseases include ticks, fleas, mosquitos, 

and flies/sandflies. In some areas the triatomine or reduvid 

“kissing” bug may also transmit disease. Insects typically 

spread disease-causing organisms by biting or taking blood 

from you or your pet. 

Some vector-borne diseases you may have heard about 

include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, 

plague, tularemia, West Nile virus, leishmaniasis, and 

Chagas disease. This is only a small list; there are many 

more vector-borne diseases that can infect dogs, 

cats, and humans. 

>> CONT. ON PAGE TWO

P1 / VECTOR BORNE

Protect the Ones You 

Love from Bugs

P2 / PET TO PET DISEASE

Canine Influenza Virus

P3 / FOOD SAFETY

Summer Picnic Safety

P4 / PET SAFETY

Pets and Parked Cars 

Don’t Mix

U.S. Army 

Veterinary Corps

th

BIRTHDAY

1916-2016
P2

Think of the impact that even one 

vector-borne disease could have on your 

household: veterinary bills, doctor visits, sick 

leave, and most importantly the symptoms 

of the disease itself. 

The good news is that vector-borne diseases 

CAN be prevented! Ensure that your pet is 

protected from insects by using a veterinaryapproved product. 

There are numerous biting insect preventives 

available, so many in fact that they are too 

numerous to list in this article. Preventives 

come in many different forms, from collars, 

to topicals applied to the pet’s skin, to pills 

that work from the inside out. Most products 

are effective against more than one type of 

vector. However, depending on where you 

and your pet live, you may need to use more 

than one type of preventive. Talk with your 

veterinarian about appropriate vector control 

for your pet.

Consult with your veterinarian about a 

comprehensive pet protection plan to keep 

your pets safe year round. Always remember 

to protect yourself and your family from 

insect bites, too. Learn more at: http://

wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bugbites.

IMPORTANT: Never use a dog preventive 

on/in cats. Never use a cat preventive on/in 

dogs. Preventives that are safe for dogs are 

toxic to cats!

Always remember that 

proactive prevention 

is much less costly 

in terms of dollars, 

time, and emotions 

than dealing with a 

vector-borne disease.

Protect the Ones You Love from Bugs

>> CONT. FROM PAGE ONE

Canine influenza virus (CIV), or the “dog 

flu,” is not the same as human influenza. 

Canine influenza viruses are relatively new, 

so most dogs are likely to become infected 

when they are exposed because they 

have not developed a natural immunity. 

The H3N8 strain was first discovered in 

2004 in Florida in racing greyhounds. Later 

studies determined that the virus had been 

circulating in the dog population since at 

least 1999. In 2015, an outbreak of canine 

influenza in Chicago was traced to the H3N2 

strain that previously had only been reported 

in South Korea and parts of China.

Generally, dogs with CIV infections have a 

mild illness, but some dogs can get very sick 

and a few deaths have been reported. Dogs 

of any breed, age, sex, or health status are 

at risk of infection when exposed to the virus.

Canine influenzas are highly contagious 

and easily spread from infected dogs to 

other dogs through direct contact, nasal 

secretions (barking, coughing, or sneezing), 

contaminated objects (kennel surfaces, food 

and water bowls, collars, and leashes), and 

by people moving between infected and 

uninfected dogs. Dogs are most contagious 

during the 2 to 4 days following exposure 

and before developing symptoms.

Canine influenza infections may be confused 

with kennel cough. Be alert for the following 

signs, which are commonly seen with both 

infections. If your dog exhibits any of these 

symptoms, seek veterinary care.

• Fever (103-105°F)

• Lethargy

• Loss of appetite

• Coughing and sneezing

• Runny nose with clear secretions at first 

that may later change to a thick and 

yellow and/or pink-tinged color

Of the dogs exposed to CIV:

• 80% to 90% will develop symptoms.

• Up to 20% of dogs may develop a 

more severe form, with a high fever 

(104°F-106°F) and pneumonia. These 

dogs are usually admitted to the 

veterinary clinic for treatment.

• 8% to 10% of infected dogs may die 

from complications of CIV.

There are vaccines against both the H3N8 

and H3N2 strains of canine influenza. The 

CIV vaccinations are considered a “lifestyle” 

vaccination, recommended for dogs at risk of 

exposure due to their increased contact with 

other dogs. Common sources of exposure 

are boarding kennels, grooming facilities, 

dog parks, and anywhere dogs freely 

socialize. If your dog regularly participates 

in these activities, it is recommended that 

they be vaccinated against the CIV prevalent 

in your locale and against the other 

common respiratory diseases (Bordetella 

bronchiseptica, parainfluenza virus, and 

adenovirus type-2). 

Contact your veterinarian for additional 

vaccine information.

Canine Influenza Virus

H3N8 Only

H3N2 Only

Both H3N8 and H3N2

NO CIV reports
P3

Summer Picnic Safety

Picnic and barbecue season offers lots of 

opportunities for outdoor fun with family 

and friends. But these activities can also 

present opportunities for foodborne illness. 

To protect family, friends, and yourself 

from foodborne illness during warmweather activities, follow these simple food 

safety guidelines for planning, preparing, 

transporting, and serving it safely once 

you’ve arrived.

Planning the Menu

• Prepare and take only the amounts of 

food you’ll eat.

• Most foods are safe for short periods 

when stored with ice or frozen gel packs 

in a proper cooler.

• If you do not have a cooler, plan your 

menu using the following items:

Fruits 

Vegetables

Hard cheese

Canned/dried 

meats or fish

Dry cereal

Bread

Peanut Butter

Crackers

Prepping for the Picnic

• Wash hands, work area, and all utensils 

before, during, and after preparing food.

• Do NOT thaw frozen items at room 

temperature. Always thaw foods in the 

refrigerator. Completely thaw meat and 

poultry before grilling so it cooks more 

evenly.

• Always marinate food in the refrigerator. 

Do not reuse marinades. If the marinade 

is to be used as a sauce for cooked 

foods, separate some and store in a 

separate container BEFORE adding 

remaining marinade to raw meat, 

poultry, or seafood.

• Always rinse and clean your fresh fruits 

and vegetables under cold running 

water before cutting or packing into a 

cooler.

Pack and Transport

• Find out if there’s a source of clean water 

at the picnic site. If not, then bring water 

for preparation and cleaning. Pack clean 

cloths and moist towelettes for cleaning 

surfaces, utensils, and hands.

• Always use a clean, insulated cooler 

with a cold source, such as ice or frozen 

gel packs, to keep the food at 40° F or 

below. Inspect the cooler for damage, 

cracks, non-sealing lid, and cleanliness 

before each use. Inspect gel packs to 

ensure they are intact and do not leak.

• Pack cold food first, right from the 

refrigerator.

• Creamy or custard foods and salads 

using store-bought mayonnaise are safe 

if kept cold in a cooler that is maintained 

at the proper temperature.

• Replenish ice or frozen gel packs if they 

start to melt. Drain excess water and 

repack with fresh, clean ice.

• Meat, poultry, and seafood may be 

packed while still frozen so that they 

stay colder longer. Do not thaw on a 

picnic table or in the hot sun.

• Plan to keep hot foods hot. Use a 

separate cooler, thermos, or insulated 

dish for hot foods. Do not mix hot and 

cold foods in the same cooler. 

• Don’t forget to pack paper towels, hand 

sanitizer, soap and water, and most 

importantly a food thermometer.

Picnic Setup and Grilling

• Keeping food at proper temperatures—

indoor and out—is critical in preventing 

the growth of foodborne bacteria. 

Never let your picnic food remain in the 

“Danger Zone”—between 40° F and 

140° F—for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour 

if outdoor temperatures are above 90° F.

• Keep food cold until ready to cook.

• Cook meat and poultry thoroughly 

to their safe minimum internal 

temperatures.

Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures

• Whole poultry: 

165° F

• Poultry breasts: 

165° F

• Ground poultry: 

165° F

• Ground meats: 

160° F

• Beef, pork, lamb, and veal (steaks, roasts, 

and chops): 145° F and allow to rest at 

least 3 minutes

• Shrimp, lobster, and crabs: cook until 

pearly and opaque 

• Clams, oysters, and mussels: cook until 

the shells are open

• Do not cross-contaminate raw and 

cooked products. Use a fresh, clean 

plate for serving cooked food, and never 

let raw meat juices touch other food.

• Follow these simple rules for keeping 

cold foods cold and hot foods hot.

COLD FOOD

• Cold, perishable food should be kept in 

a cooler at 40° F or below until serving 

time.

• Once you’ve served it, cold foods should 

not sit out for longer than 2 hours or 

1 hour if the outdoor temperature is 

above 90° F. If it does, then discard it.

• Foods like chicken salad and desserts in 

individual serving dishes can be placed 

directly on ice or in a shallow container 

set in a deep pan filled with ice. Drain 

off water as ice melts, and replace ice 

frequently.

HOT FOOD

• Hot food should be kept hot, at or 

above 140° F.

• Wrap hot foods well and place them in 

an insulated container until serving.

• Just as with cold food, these foods 

should not sit out for more than 2 hours 

or 1 hour in temperatures above 90° F. If 

food is left out longer, throw it away to 

be safe.

Going Home

• Refrigerate any leftovers promptly 

in shallow containers. Discard any 

perishable food left out for more than 2 

hours (1 hour if temperatures are above 

90° F). 

• If there is still ice in the cooler when you 

get home and the food did not sit out at 

the picnic, the food is still safe to store in 

the refrigerator.

Picnic and barbecue 

season offers lots 

of opportunities for 

outdoor fun with family 

and friends
Comments or questions regarding content can be 

directed to ARMY-VSPublications@mail.mil

Locate your local Veterinary 

Treatment Facility at

https://tiny.army.mil/r/JG66r/VTFs

Pets and Parked Cars Don’t Mix

Parked cars are potential deathtraps for pets, even when they are left 

alone for “just a minute” while the owner runs an errand. Every year, 

pets suffer and die when owners leave them in parked cars during 

the warmer months. Most people do not realize how quickly it can 

become unbearably hot in a parked car on a balmy day. On a 78° F day, 

the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 95° and 100° 

F in less than 15 minutes. On a 90° F day, the interior temperature can 

reach well over 120° F in less than 15 minutes. It takes only minutes for 

a pet left in a vehicle on a warm day to feel the effects; the result can 

be heatstroke, suffocation, and death.

This can happen even on a day 

that doesn’t seem hot to you. 

Unfortunately, cracking 

the windows will make 

little difference. Leaving 

the windows cracked only 

decreases the internal car 

temperature by 5-10° at best. 

If the windows are rolled down 

enough to provide more air flow, 

the pet can easily escape the 

vehicle and become lost or hit 

by a car.

An important point to 

remember is that our 

pets do not sweat like we 

do. They cool themselves 

by panting and sweating 

through their paws. If the air 

they breathe is warmer than 

their body temperature, they 

can’t cool themselves effectively 

and are likely to overheat, collapse, 

suffer brain damage, and possibly die of heatstroke. Just 15 minutes 

can be enough for your pet’s core body temperature to rise from a 

normal 101.5° F to deadly levels that may damage the brain and other 

vital systems, often leaving your pet comatose, dehydrated, and at risk 

of permanent impairment or death.

You may think about leaving a pet in the car with the air conditioning 

running. People often do this, thinking their pet will be safe. 

However, there are cases year after year of pets dying after the car airconditioning (AC) shuts down and begins to blow just hot air. When 

the engine gets too hot, the air system’s compressor can shut off. Many 

cars, including newer models with computerized functions, are prone 

to the same problem. 

Hot cars aren’t the only danger to your pets on warm days. Did you 

know that on a mild 86° F day, the asphalt temperature can easily 

exceed 135° F? While it may not be hot enough to fry an egg, it is 

certainly hot enough to burn your pet’s sensitive foot pads! Hot 

sidewalks, pavement, and parking lots not only burn paws, but they 

also reflect heat onto your pet’s body, increasing their risk of heat 

injury. Always test the pavement with your hand before you head out. 

If it is too hot to touch, then it is too hot to walk your pet. A good tip 

is to schedule your walks early in the morning or later in the evenings 

when the temperatures are cooler.

Remember to carry plenty of water for yourself and your pet. They 

need to stay hydrated, too! On longer walks, be sure to take frequent 

breaks in shady spots, and turn around to head home before they get 

too tired or hot.

If you notice your pet exhibiting any of the following signs, 

immediately move them to a cool location and seek veterinary care:

• Excessive uncontrolled panting

• Increased salivation, especially thick, sticky saliva

• Bright red tongue

• Increased heart rate

Approved for public release, distribution unlimited. TA-349-0516 APHC Veterinary Services

Goal of publication:

• Veterinary Connections is a quarterly publication written by Army Veterinary Services personnel and published by the Army Public Health Center 

(Provisional) to inform and educate Service members, beneficiaries, and retirees about Animal Health, Food Safety, and One Health.

• One Health refers to the intersection and overlap between animals, humans, and the environment. 

• Army Veterinary Services personnel serve around the world supporting the Department of Defense as proponents for Animal Health and Food 

Protection.

Veterinary

The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not 

necessarily reflect the official policy of the Department of Defense, Department 

of the Army, U.S. Army Medical Department or the U.S. 

http://phc.amedd.army.mil

1-800-222-9698

Temperature inside a parked car 

can soar to between 95° and 

100°F in less than15 minutes.