We have received a large number of emails and phone calls lately regarding Canine Influenza - so we know it's on a lot of your minds. Therefore, our very own Dr. Matt Miller wanted to:

1. make sure all of you know the important information about Canine Influenza.
2. distinguish between the real facts and some of the recent hype (a lot of information that you are receiving right now has been generated by the vaccine companies).
3. make sure all of you know our position.

By the way, if your furry companions are cats only, you needn't read any further...for other than education:).

 

 

Canine influenza (CIV) is a virus that was first identified in racing greyhounds in Florida in 2004. You may have heard it referred to as the H3N8 virus. When it was first recognized, the veterinary community was in a state of panic because CIV was thought to cause a rapid and widespread mortality rate in infected animals. Since that time, we have realized that CIV really behaves much more like the typical human seasonal flu virus - many of the animals exposed to the virus tend to get sick, but only a few dogs become seriously ill. This statement is important for many reasons. CIV is spread through respiratory secretions but is easily killed with many of the common disinfectants and bleach. Therefore, in order to spread efficiently the virus needs environments where there are many dogs confined in a small space;  thus the first cases were all found in facilities housing racing dogs. The most frequent places CIV been found are animal shelters, boarding facilities, pet stores, vet clinics and humane societies.

It is important to note that as of last month, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the disease is only endemic in 4 states: Colorado, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. You can visit the web site: www.diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/issues/civ-stat.asp to see how many cases have been diagnosed in each state. I think you will find it comforting to know that between the time the disease was first discovered (2004) and October of last year only 3 cases of Canine Influenza were confirmed in Georgia. The chance of your dogs getting the disease in Georgia is very low.

Infection with CIV- for the most part - is very similar to infections of Kennel Cough. About 80% of dogs that are exposed to the virus will become infected - most of the dogs will experience mild symptoms equivalent to the human head cold which should resolve with simple supportive care. 20% of the dogs will show no symptoms of the infection. In general, as with human flu, the very young dogs and the very old dogs will be the most severely affected. It would be very rare that a healthy adult pet would develop severe symptoms from the virus. For an unfortunate few CIV can cause severe symptoms - the disease is characterized by a rapid onset of hemorrhagic pneumonia (coughing blood) with high fevers. It is very important to note that of all the cases where a case of Canine Influenza was confirmed only 5% - 8% of them were the severe form - and these severe cases were in dogs that were in high risk environments (many of them were malnourished or sick animals living in kennels).

In May of 2009, the USDA approved the licensure of the first influenza vaccine for dogs (This, along with the recent Swine Flu/H1N1 scare, is very likely the reason we are hearing so much about CIV in recent months). This vaccine is not meant to prevent infection -rather, it is intended to aid in the control of disease associated with the Canine Influenza virus. That is to say - the vaccine is supposed to help lessen the severity and duration of the disease.

The Village Vets stance is in accordance with the American Veterinary Medical Association stance. We believe that the "Canine influenza vaccine is a 'lifestyle vaccine', and is not recommended for every dog". Our practice will carry a limited supply of the vaccine - but only recommend it for dogs in high risk situations because:

1. As for now, most of our couch potato, urban/suburban yard dwelling, dog-park-playing dogs will likely never be exposed to the virus, nor will they benefit from the vaccine.

2. Most (92% - 95%) of the dogs who acquire the disease will have relatively mild symptoms- similar to what we experience with the common cold. The vaccine does not prevent disease; it only reduces the clinical signs.

3. For many reasons we prefer not to "over vaccinate" our dogs. Though initial clinical trials in 746 dogs show the vaccine to be"safe", we believe that any unneeded vaccine can potentially have adverse effects (vaccine reactions, autoimmune disease, systemic inflammatory response, etc.). If administering the vaccine does not clearly demonstrate a benefit to our pets, we would prefer not to use it.

4. There are other, potentially more effective steps you can take to prevent the disease:
a. Continue living in Georgia:).
b. In crowded environments, avoid any contact with dogs that are coughing and sneezing.
c. Keep an eye on your dog; if you notice coughing, sneezing, or lethargy give us a call so that we can discuss possible diagnostic and treatment options.

As stated above, we will keep some doses of the vaccine, but we do not intend to make the vaccine a "core" vaccine to be given yearly (like distemper or rabies vaccines).

So please breathe easier (that goes for your canine companion, too). No reason to panic.

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