As we head into the peak of flu season, you’ve probably heard the recommendations from friends and health professionals to get your flu shot. But maybe you didn’t know that there’s a flu your dog can catch, too. And as it turns out, there’s a flu shot just for your dog. On the one paw, “Yay, science!” But on the other paw, let’s make sure it’s the right fit for your pup.
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Anti-Vaccination Movement Spreads To Dog Parenting. Here’s What You Need To Know.
Canine Influenza
Let’s talk about the Dog Flu real quick, more formally called Canine Influenza (or CI.) It’s not your dog catching the flu from you- it’s two strains of a flu virus that specifically affect our dogs. There are two strains, H3N2 and H3N8- and each was discovered only in the last ten years.
Because the virus is so relatively new, dogs haven’t developed any sort of natural immunity to canine influenza. 4 out of 5 dogs exposed to the flu will develop symptoms, usually a cough and a fever. Most dogs will experience only a mild form of the illness, and recover in 2-3 weeks. Some dogs, on the other hand, may develop severe pneumonia, and about 1 in 10 dogs infected may die.
Canine influenza can spread through the air (coughing, barking and sneezing), by touch (a kennel, a water dish, a leash, etc), or from people who move between infected and uninfected dogs. So far, most cases have shown up in settings where lots of dogs are kept in close quarters: shelters, pet stores, kennels, dog schools. It takes about 2-4 days to show symptoms, after infection; and unsettlingly enough, your dog is most contagious before showing symptoms.
Prevention, Protection, and the Dog Flu Vaccine
So now that we know what’s up, what can we do to protect our dogs from exposure?
There are no super-easy answers. For veterinary facilities and shelters where a dog gets infected, transmission can be contained by practicing disciplined, rigorous standards of cleanliness and quarantining the infected dog for approximately 2-3 weeks while they recover.
There are two H3N8 CI vaccines available, with the first one getting approved by the USDA in 2009. And just last month, the USDA granted a license to Zoetis to market the first commercially availble H3N2 CI vaccine.
The H3N8 vaccine doesn’t prevent infection entirely, but tests have shown that it may significantly reduce the severity and duration of the illness itself. A vaccinated dog that picks up the infection might develop less severe symptoms and is less likely to spread CI to other dogs.
Is It Right For You?
The American Veterinary Medical Association does not recommend the vaccine for every dog. Again, most dogs that have caught the illness are dogs that live or work with high concentrations of other dogs.
If a walk in a bustling dog park is part of your daily routine, you might have use for the vaccine. If your dog is more of a countryside pup with a big yard to himself, you’re probably fine. If your dog got the kennel cough vaccine, the AVMA suggests that the dog flu vaccine might be a good fit, because the at-risk populations are similar.
Dr. Karen Becker points out that the vaccine will not definitively prevent your dog from becoming sick. She also expresses concern that the vaccine would compromise the dog’s immune system, “affecting its ability to protect your dog naturally from pathogens like the influenza virus.”
The AVMA would counter that by arguing that this ability is not yet ingrained in our dogs, since the virus is very new and still developing. They’d also point out that the vaccine is not intended to prevent infection in the first place, but diminish the effects of the sickness.
Side effects of the vaccine are not particularly common, but they’re more likely to affect smaller breeds. The most common side effect is fatigue. Other possible symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, facial swelling, pale gums and pain at the site of the injection.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, whether or not to get the CI vaccine is your choice, but there is someone in your life who will be able to help you make the most educated decision possible. Do you know who that is? Your veterinarian. Always consult with them before taking your dog’s health into your own paws.
Sources
American Veterinary Medical Association
Centers For Disease Control and Protection
Arlington Animal Hospital
International Business Times
Featured Image via @husky_buddy
Related Gallery
5 Breeds One Vet Thinks Are So Popular, It’s Harming Them
Source: via Dr. Marty Becker Google+
Dr. Marty Becker, a "America's Veterinarian, recently penned an article for Vetstreet.com about how he'd like to see less of. Not because he thinks they're "bad" breeds or undeserving of homes. Quite the opposite. As he writes: "I love all pets. I wouldn’t be a veterinarian if I didn’t, and I celebrate the human-animal bond every day. I do look forward, though, to the day when these five breeds aren’t as popular. The reasons vary, but in many cases the problems are health-related, and overbreeding by puppy mills and other less-than-ideal operations has a lot to do with that. What would help these breeds is for there to be a lot less of them. A couple of them need many more adopters and far less breeding, and all would benefit from people who are well-prepared for the challenges of owning a dog, and who make sure to look to rescue, shelters and reputable breeders for their pets. Here are the breeds Dr. Becker highlights in his article, and why he thinks their popularity is bad for them.
Source: via wikimedia
Bulldogs, while adorable and loving goofballs, often have major health problems due to overbreeding. According to Dr. Marty Becker, "The exaggerated features of the Bulldog and other related breeds have produced a perfect storm of health problems that diminish the quality of life for many of these dogs, and often make them extremely expensive to own. Many need surgery to shorten their soft palate and enlarge their nostrils just so they can breathe somewhat normally. Must as I love them as individuals, as a veterinarian these problems make me hurt for these dogs and their families."
Source: via AKC
Beautiful, intelligent, brave dogs, German Shepherds are nonetheless also plagued with health problems. Dr. Becker states, "A good German Shepherd is an awe-inspiring dog, and the best have served in so many ways. German Shepherds were the original service dogs for people who can’t see, and they’ve long been used for police and military work, and for search and rescue. Their popularity has been pretty steady since the days of Rin Tin Tin, but the problems with the health of the breed seem to have increased with every decade. German Shepherds are prone to epilepsy, vision problems, bleeding disorders and digestive problems, as well as bad hips and degenerative myelopathy, an incurable condition that causes progressive paralysis. The German Shepherd is the world’s first media-darling dog, and remains the classic example of the problems of popularity."
Source: via DogBreedInfo
It's not health that is the problem with these pups. Instead, it's overpopulation. As Dr. Becker relates, "Health usually isn’t the problem with the Chihuahua. These active, in-your-face little dogs behave much bigger than they are (but not bigger than they think they are, which is huge!), and many of them live well into their teens with regular wellness care. But as one of the two most common breeds in many shelters these days, finding homes for them all is a challenge. For that, you can thank Taco Bell and Paris Hilton, I guess, but I’d like to thank everyone who adopts them, and spays and neuters them. A little Chihuahua goes a long way, and I’ll be happier when I see a lot less of them in practice, because that means the shelters aren’t struggling to cope with the overpopulation."
Source: via wikimedia
This playful, happy breed is popular for a reason. Perhaps, too popular. Again, health problems often cut a Golden's life short. Dr. Becker, who has a Golden Retriever, says, "We love Shakira, our 12-year-old Golden whose sunny personality, supermodel looks and ball-crazy behavior are everything people love about Goldens. But Goldens have had more than their share of breed-related health issues, the most common and most tragic is cancer. Our family has been lucky enough to escape this diagnosis, but countless other owners will be getting bad news about their dogs today, and many of those dogs will be young. Many of us veterinarians not-so-secretly call this breed “The Cancer Retriever,” which is why I’m so excited about the Golden Retriever Lifetime Project, a huge and important step in helping to save many of these dogs down the line. And many people too!"
Source: via imgarcade
These sweet, devoted dogs suffer from irresponsible breeding and overpopulation. Dr. Becker thinks they have an undeserved reputation: "I fell in love with Gracie, a Pit-Lab mix, while visiting shelters at Christmastime to give gifts to the pets there. Gracie was found as a stray puppy, and even though everyone at the shelter loved her, no one adopted her until I came along. I guess I could see beyond her 'Plain Jane”' exterior and her troubled legs to the beautiful heart inside...the popularity of Pit Bulls has driven a population explosion that’s out of sync with the number of homes available and suitable for these large, powerful dogs. The majority of Pitties are sweet and stable, but the unfair negative press the breed has received makes many people afraid to adopt them...more adoptions and a lot fewer litters are the answer."
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Topics: canine-flu, canine-flu-vaccine, dog, dog flu, dog-health, flu, health, image, picture, science, vaccine
The post Dog Flu Vaccine Becomes Increasingly Available, But Does Your Dog Need It? appeared first on BarkPost.