Canine Influenza – The Misunderstood Vaccine

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By Dr. Monica Capella, Associate Veterinarian
VCA Calvert Veterinary Center

Maybe you’ve just adopted a new furry friend – an 8-week-old Yorkie puppy that has eyes filled with excitement, or maybe a sweet 9-year-old Labrador that is happy to spend its days lounging on the back porch. As part of a routine wellness visit, your veterinarian will discuss keeping your pets up to date on vaccinations to protect them from certain diseases.

Some of these, like the ones for rabies and distemper, are core vaccines, meaning they are necessary due to the potential for high rates of infection, potential dangers to human health, and because they can affect pets of all life stages. Others, like leptospirosis and Lyme, are recommended by the veterinarian based on your pet’s potential risk of exposure, which is determined by geographic distribution, overall lifestyle routine, etc. So where does the canine influenza vaccine fit in the world of vaccination? What is canine influenza and how do you know if your dog should be vaccinated? These are questions veterinarians hear commonly, so let’s discuss them.

Canine influenza is a viral infection first reported in 2004 in Florida, but it has spread to many states, and there are even documented cases internationally. The disease is spread between dogs, and currently, there is no conclusive evidence that the disease is zoonotic (meaning to spread from animals to humans or vice versa). Dogs that are infected with this virus can have a mild form or more severe form. The majority of dogs with the mild form may have a soft, moist or dry cough that persists for 10 to 30 days with or without nasal discharge. This form is often self-limiting compared to the severe form, which often presents more suddenly with fever, severe respiratory signs including difficulty breathing, and can potentially lead to acute death.

Although canine influenza has a low mortality rate compared to diseases like rabies and canine distemper, vaccination has become a key factor in reducing severity of clinical signs in dogs and reducing spread of the disease. This vaccination is recommended based on risk of exposure. Dogs that are higher risk for contracting canine influenza are those that attend pet day care centers, pet parks, groomers, boarding, or are traveling to endemic areas. It is important to note that the vaccine is not labeled to prevent infection itself; however, by vaccinating dogs that are at higher risk, the goal of the vaccine is to reduce clinical severity and duration of infection if contracted. Typical vaccination protocol recommended by veterinarians involves an initial vaccine followed by a booster vaccination several weeks later. As with human vaccinations, protective immunity is not immediate! If you are planning to board your furry friend or take it to a high-risk location, ensure that your pet receives its second booster vaccine at least two to three weeks before travel to maximize protection.

Keeping up to date on news of canine emerging diseases is another way you can work with your veterinarian to ensure your pet is as protected as possible from potential exposure. The most recent outbreaks of canine influenza occurred in 2015 and 2016 in the Midwest states (Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois). These outbreaks were caused by a variation of the influenza strain H3N2, which differed from the original H3N8 strain that caused the initial outbreak of 2004. Veterinarians are continuing to work closely with manufacturing companies to develop vaccines that cover both of these strains. The manufacturer of the vaccine that we carry will cover the cost of laboratory testing for a variety of upper respiratory viruses and other pathogens as well as covering up to $5,000 in costs if your pet is found to have one of the diseases that the vaccine protects against. This gives pet owners assurance that your pet will be protected. If you have any questions about canine influenza or are looking for reliable resources, reach out to your local veterinary community for support!

Calvert Veterinary Center has been serving Pasadena and surrounding communities for 15 years. The office is conveniently located at 4100 Mountain Road in Pasadena. Call 410-360-7297 or visit www.calvertvet.com to schedule an appointment.

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