Canine Influenza-H3N8
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 dog 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.
Our Isolation Ward is completely stocked and
closed off, with easy viewing for close monitoring of sick pets. This
special room is located in the treatment area of the hospital. There are
cages of different sizes for cats and small to medium sized dogs, and a
large dog run. All medications, supplies and food for the isolation
ward is kept there, so contamination is kept to a minimum. All blankets,
towels, gowns and instruments that need to be cleaned and disinfected
are bagged, tagged and washed separately from the rest of the hospital
cleaning. Anyone leaving the isolation ward steps into a special tray of
disinfectant, keeping any contamination from spreading.
  
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