Facts about canine influenza

and a new vaccine that’s now available to protect dogs

Canine influenza is...

• An emerging threat to the respiratory health of dogs across the US – All breeds and ages are susceptible to infection – Because it’s a new virus, dogs have no natural immunity to it

• Highly contagious and easily spread through: – Direct contact (licking or nuzzling) – The air (coughing or sneezing) – Contaminated surfaces (picked up on the hands or clothing of a person and then spread when another dog is touched or petted)

• Characterized by a persistent cough that may last several weeks, as well as runny nose, watery eyes, and a loss of appetite and/or energy

• Usually mild, but can progress to a more severe infection or pneumonia in 10% to 20% of cases, and is fatal in up to 8% of sick dogs

• A concern for owners whose dogs: – Come from a shelter, rescue center, breeder, or pet store – Board at a kennel – Attend doggie daycare or group training – Visit a groomer, dog park, or other places where dogs congregate – Participate in dog events and competitions Canine Influenza Vaccine, H3N8 is...

• The first vaccine available to aid in the prevention of disease associated with canine influenza • Proven to significantly reduce the coughing, severity, and spread of canine influenza infection

• Proven safe; a killed virus vaccine developed, manufactured, and marketed by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and conditionally licensed by the USDA – A conditional license is issued to meet a special circumstance such as the emergence of a new virus for which there is no existing vaccine

• Administered in two doses given 2 to 4 weeks apart – One annual booster injection is needed to continue protection Please contact us to schedule a vaccination for your pet. For more information on canine influenza, visit www.doginfluenza.com.

Reproduced with permission from www.doginfluenza.com

http://www.doginfluenza.com

Supplied below is a link to the Intervet website.  Intervet is the maker of the vaccine available to protect your pet from the canine influenza virus

http://www.intervetusa.com/

used with permission from Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health

Governor Animal Clinic closely follows guidelines for disease control and monitoring.  We have a well stocked isolation ward, a strict policy regarding contaminant containment, and regular training sessions with all employees involved with sick pets that are hospitalized in our isolation ward.
 
There is a great deal of hysteria, rumors, confusion and misinformation being passed around regarding the “dog flu“   We will keep you posted with information we receive from the Department of Agriculture, Office of the County Veterinarian (San Diego County Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory), Washington State, Cornell University the University of Florida, and any other confirmed, legitimate breaking news.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call our office for assistance.

Answers and facts;

Canine Influenza H3N8

*Can my family get the disease from my dog(s)?

No, it is a species specific disease which is spread from dog to dog.

*Where did this disease come from?

It crossed over in Florida from a horse Influenza disease and mutated to the local greyhounds.

*Hasn't my dog already been vaccinated for this disease?

There has not been an outbreak of the disease like this before, nor has there been a vaccine available before.  So, it is highly unlikely that unless your pet has had and recovered from the disease, or they have been vaccinated within the last month or two, that he/she is protected actively or passively from the disease.

*Does my dog really need this vaccine?

We suggest that all pets who will be even "potentially" boarding, in a daycare, or regularly taken to a groomer begin the dogs on the vaccine series which consists of 2 vaccines, spaced 2-4 weeks apart.  It is necessary both doses be received to be fully protected.  A number of facilities mandate this vaccine to be completed for a pet to stay with them.  Since it is spread through aerosols during coughing, sneezing, or by contaminated hands and clothing, any dog going to dog parks, dog beaches, or generally in contact with multiple dogs may have an increased incident for developing this disease. 

*Will this vaccine keep my dodg from getting (H3N8) K9 Influenza?

Just as with flu shots for people, it may not eliminate all possibility of getting the flu, but will greatly diminish the signs and secondary disease potential.

*What are some signs of the disease?

Specifically, coughing and sneezing, +/- possible lack of energy and loss of appetite occur in 80% of dogs, with 20% showing no signs, but they are still infected and spreading the disease.  In most circumstances, the dog has already been shedding the disease by the time signs begin to appear.

*Is the vaccine safe?

So far to date, there have not been any adverse reactions, other than localized injection site lumps reported. This doesn't mean that there can't be others as more vaccines are used.