New Vaccine Will Fight Canine Influenza

by Steve Dale

Dalmation | iHaveNet.com

The flu season is here, and vaccination may be a good idea - for your dog. A first ever vaccine to fight off canine influenza was announced at a press conference during the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention July12 in Seattle, WA.

"This is significant, because the (dog) flu may be deadly, and the vaccine will no doubt save lives," said Dr. James Cook, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

As flu is in people, canine influenza is highly contagious among dogs, explained Dr. Michael Moyer, a board member of the American Animal Hospital Association and Rosenthal Director of Shelter Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia.

Dogs who are social with other dogs are most susceptible. Those that are boarded, attend day care, go to dog training classes, participate in dog sports (such as agility) and visit groomers, plus dogs unfortunate enough to find themselves in shelters, are the populations the vaccine is most suggested for, says Moyer.

In fact, canine influenza is so contagious that Dr. Cynda Crawford, clinical assistant professor, Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, said veterinarians, veterinary technicians, groomers, dog trainers and others in the dog business who may be handing sick dogs should probably vaccinate their own dogs.

Unfortunately, you can't always tell a dog is sick. In the first few days, they show no symptoms but are contagious. When symptoms do appear, Moyer said, they may include coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, lack of appetite, fever and what seems to be the same "achy" feeling people with the flu experience.

Canine influenza has been identified in 30 states and the District of Columbia, according to Crawford. In addition, there are hot spots around the country, including Denver, New York City, Philadelphia and parts of Southern Florida. An outbreak can occur anytime, anywhere, however. "It's unpredictable," said Crawford, who with colleagues at Cornell University and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, first discovered the disease in 2004.

Crawford did not attend the press conference but spoke later by phone.

"We know that influenza viruses are always changing and always adapting," she explained. "We don't know exactly the course of how the canine influenza came to be, but we know the virus adapted to dogs from equine influenza virus."

The good news is, people are not susceptible to canine flu, and other pets -- cats, rabbits, ferrets and birds -- are also safe.

One difference which Crawford discovered is how the canine flu affects dogs compared to the affects of human flu strains on people.

As in people, influenza in dogs typically runs its course in about a week. However, some individuals become more ill, develop pneumonia and even die. Older dogs and puppies with pre-existing medical problems are prone, but canine influenza can also strike seemingly healthy middle-aged or younger dogs in the prime of life with no history of illness. Crawford says no one knows why seemingly healthy individual dogs are potentially so vulnerable. Other dogs, as many as 20 percent, may become infected but not get sick, through they remain contagious and can innocently infect other dogs.

Unlike people who can take medication when they're feeling bad at the onset of the flu, dogs can't tell us they're not feeling quite right. By the time symptoms appear, there isn't a lot that can be done - except supportive care to lessen some of the symptoms.

"That's why prevention is the best option for social dogs," says Moyer.

Like many vaccines - including the one for kennel cough in dogs - the new vaccine doesn't always prevent the flu. Some dogs will dog sick but the illness won't be as prolonged, and they won't become quite so sick. At least in the clinical trial, not a single vaccinated dog died as a result of the flu.

While, in general, vaccines may produce side effects, among the 746 dogs representing more than 30 breeds studied, there were no side effects, according to the manufacturer Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.

Crawford said that in general, when a vaccine for kennel cough (Bordetella) is given, a canine flu vaccine should also be considered, although those decisions are best left between veterinarian and client.

PET STORIES and PET ARTICLES ...

Pets | New Vaccine Will Fight Canine Influenza