Yes, you can use a good canine influenza test. This test checks if your dog has the illness. Most dogs in the United States have not had dog flu. Dogs in kennels or shelters have a higher risk. Veterinary clinics give accurate tests for canine influenza. These tests help protect your dogs.

Canine Influenza Test Options

If you want to know if your dog has canine influenza, there are a few good tests. Each canine influenza test helps you and your vet find out if your dog is sick with the canine influenza virus (CIV). Early and correct testing is important to keep your dogs and other pets safe. Here are the main types of tests for canine influenza.

PCR-Tests

PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. It is a strong way to find the canine influenza virus. This test looks for the virus’s genetic material in your dog’s nose or throat. Vets say PCR works best in the first 1-4 days after your dog gets sick. The virus is most active then, so the test is most correct. PCR can find many types of canine influenza, like canine influenza A, H3N2, and H3N8. You can see how PCR and other tests compare in this table:

Test Type	Sensitivity (Median/Range)	Specificity (Median/Range)	Anmerkungen
Real-time RT-PCR	~0.90 to 0.95 (0.83–0.99)	~0.90	Most sensitive and specific; detects viral RNA even in frozen/thawed samples; rapid turnaround
Rapid Antigen Tests	20% to 70% (variable)	~0.90 or higher	Lower sensitivity than PCR; performance depends on viral load; useful in some settings
Serologische Tests	N/A	N/A	Detect exposure (antibodies), not active infection; not suitable for confirming active infection
Virus Isolation	~0.72 (0.47–0.96)	~1.00	Traditional gold standard but less sensitive and slower than PCR

PCR is often used early when a dog first gets sick. You can trust PCR because it is very accurate and finds different CIV strains. PCR needs a lab, but most vet clinics can send samples fast.

Tip: For best results, ask your vet to take a nasal swab within four days after your dog starts showing symptoms.

Rapid Antigen Test

Rapid antigen tests give you answers fast about canine influenza. The SaberVet Canine Influenza Virus Antigen Rapid Test uses special technology to find CIV antigens in your dog’s nose, eyes, or saliva. You get results in just 10 minutes, so you can make quick choices for your dog’s care. The SaberVet test is very good at finding the virus. It has a sensitivity of 99.8% and specificity of 97.69%. This means you can trust the results. The test uses a simple method, so you do not need fancy tools. Vets and pet owners can use this test right away. Here is how a rapid antigen canine influenza test works: – Use a swab to get a sample from your dog’s eye, nose, or saliva. – Mix the swab in a special liquid. – Put drops of the liquid on the test cassette. – Wait 10 minutes for the answer. Rapid antigen tests are great when you need to know fast. They help you keep your dog away from others and start care if the test is positive. The SaberVet test is a trusted choice for quick and correct testing.

Serologische Tests

Serologic testing checks your dog’s blood for antibodies to the canine influenza virus. This test does not find the virus itself. It shows if your dog has met CIV before. Vets use serologic tests when more than seven days have passed since your dog got sick. This is because antibodies need time to show up. To be sure about a CIV infection, your vet may take two blood samples: one early and one two weeks later. If the antibody level goes up a lot, your dog had canine influenza. Serologic testing is also good for checking groups of dogs or when PCR and rapid antigen tests are negative but your dog still seems sick.

Note: Serologic tests are not best for early testing. They help show if your dog had the virus before.

When to Use Each Test

• PCR: Best in the first 1-4 days of symptoms for active infection. – Rapid Antigen Test: Good for quick answers and fast choices. – Serologic Testing: Best after 7 days to check for past infection.

Vets pick the right canine influenza test based on your dog’s symptoms and how long your dog has been sick. Early testing helps keep your dogs and other pets safe from canine influenza.

Remember: Fast and correct testing helps you keep your dogs healthy and safe.

When and Why Testing Matters

Canine Influenza Symptoms

Your dog might seem tired or not want to play. Some signs of CIV are coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, and watery eyes. Some dogs may breathe hard or stop eating. These signs can look like other dog illnesses, like kennel cough. The table below shows how canine influenza and other sicknesses can look the same:

Symptom	Canine Influenza (CIV)	Other Canine Respiratory Diseases
Husten	Persistent dry or moist cough	Common, often dry cough
Nasal Discharge	Clear or thick nasal discharge	Common
Fieber	High, often over 103.5°F	Usually mild or absent
Lethargie	Very tired, less active	Mild or absent
Niesen	Present	Present
Runny Nose	Present	Present
Eye Discharge	Watery discharge	Less common

Note: Because these signs are alike, your vet needs to test your dog to know if it has canine influenza or another sickness that spreads easily.

When to Test

You should test your dog if it coughs, sneezes, has a fever, or a runny nose. Dogs in kennels, daycares, or shelters have a bigger chance of getting this sickness. CIV spreads fast where many dogs are together. If your dog was near other dogs or in a busy place, it is important to find out what is wrong quickly. Testing helps your vet know if your dog has canine influenza or something else. Early testing also helps stop outbreaks and helps vets choose the best way to keep dogs safe.

Die Bedeutung der Früherkennung

Finding canine influenza early keeps your dog and others safe. If you find the virus soon, you can start care and keep your dog away from others. This helps stop CIV from spreading and helps control outbreaks. Acting fast is very important in places like shelters or boarding places. Quick tests and lab checks help you make good choices and stop outbreaks. By following rules like keeping sick dogs alone and cleaning, you help all dogs stay healthy and help stop the sickness from spreading.

Canine Influenza Virus: What to Expect

Musterkollektion

When you bring your dog to the veterinary clinic for canine influenza testing, the team will collect samples to check for the canine influenza virus. The most common method uses a nasal swab. This swab collects fluid from your dog’s nose, which helps find the virus early. Sometimes, the vet may use a swab from the throat or eye, especially if your dog has a lot of discharge. Blood samples are used for serologic tests, but these are best after seven days of illness. For the most accurate results, the vet collects samples within 48 hours of symptoms starting. Synthetic fiber swabs work better than cotton ones because they help get more of the virus. The clinic uses special kits to keep the samples safe and clean.

Tip: Call your vet before your visit if your dog has a cough or fever. This helps protect other dogs at the clinic.