What Is Dog Flu And Where Did It Come From
There are two identified strains of influenza virus that can affect our dogs and are classified as H3N8 and H3N2. The first recognized outbreak of the H3N8 strain of canine influenza occurred in . There have been reported cases in a total of 11 states in the U.S., but only among dogs in race track facilities.
The H3N2 virus was first identified in Asia in 2006. There is no evidence to confirm, but it is suspected that in 2015 the H3N2 strain was introduced to the United States by dogs that were rescued and imported from Asia. This U.S. introduction occurred in Chicago when several dogs at a boarding facility became ill. The company quickly shut down multiple Chicago locations for disinfection, but not before the city experienced the worst outbreak in 35 years. At that time there were over 1,000 cases of infectious respiratory disease reported. From there the H3N2 virus spread through the Midwest and continued to stretch throughout the country.
Is It True That The Flu Vaccine Can Cause Febrile Seizures In Young Children
A is a convulsion in a child with a fever . They can occur in up to 1 in 20 children aged between 6 months and 6 years old. Febrile seizures usually last around 1 to 2 minutes with loss of consciousness, but nearly all children will recover quickly, regardless of the cause.
Influenza itself can cause fever and results in more febrile seizures than vaccination. In one study, more than 1 in 20 children hospitalised with the flu in Australia had a febrile seizure. In comparison, only 1 in 20,000 children will have a febrile seizure related to fever following a flu shot.
How Is Canine Influenza In Dogs Treated
Treatment largely consists of supportive care which helps to keep the dog hydrated and comfortable while its body then mounts an immune response to the infection to facilitate recovery. In the milder form of the disease, this care may include medication to make your dog be more comfortable and fluids to ensure that your dog remains well-hydrated. Broad spectrum antibiotics may be prescribed by your veterinarian if a secondary bacterial infection is suspected.
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Is It Ok To Get The Flu Vaccine More Than Once In The Same Flu Season
Studies have not shown there is any benefit for most adults getting more than one dose of vaccine in the same flu season. However, its recommended that some people get 2 doses of the flu vaccine in one season:
- children under 9 years old who have not ever been vaccinated against the flu
- people who are having flu vaccination for the first time after a stem cell transplant or organ transplant
- pregnant women, who may be vaccinated with the next seasons influenza vaccine if it becomes available in the latter part of their pregnancy, even if they had the previous seasons vaccine
- overseas travellers who are going to the northern hemisphere winter
Will Vaccination Make My Dog Sick
Some dogs develop mild lethargy or soreness 1 to 2 days after vaccination. In the case of killed vaccines containing an adjuvant, lump formation may occur at the vaccination site. If this is painful or persists for more than a few weeks with no decrease in size, consult your veterinarian. A few dogs will develop more severe reactions that are forms of hypersensitivity . These will usually occur within minutes, but may be delayed for a few hours. The dog may salivate, vomit, develop diarrhea, hives, or have difficulty breathing. Should this occur, consult your veterinarian immediately.
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Antimicrobial Therapy And Vaccination
7. Should an oral or intranasal vaccine containing Bordetella Bronchiseptica be administered to a dog that is concurrently receiving antibiotic therapy?
Doing so is not recommended. Because B. bronchiseptica vaccines administered onto a mucosal surface contain living bacteria, vaccination of a dog that is concurrently receiving antimicrobial therapy may culminate in the inactivation of the live bacteria. This could result in a reduced or no immune response to the vaccine.
How Long Does The Pfizer Vaccine Last This Is One Thing A Lot Of People Are Searching For And So Here Is All About The Pfizer Vaccine & Side Effects
Pfizer vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccination drive has finally begun giving us a fighting chance against the virus. A lot of people have already taken the vaccine shots and some are still planning for it. With so many vaccines emerging in the market it has also become easier for health experts to evaluate their effectiveness. One of these popular vaccines is the Pfizer vaccine. However, many people are primarily wondering about how long does the Pfizer Vaccine last. If you have been wondering about the same, then do not worry, here is all you need to know about it.
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What Are Dog Vaccines And Why Are They Important
Vaccines help prepare a dog’s immune system to defend itself from any invasion of disease-causing organisms. Vaccines contain antigens, which mimic disease-causing organisms in a dog’s immune system, but don’t actually cause disease. The purpose of puppy vaccines and dog vaccines is to mildly stimulate the immune system by having it recognize the antigens present. This way, if a dog becomes exposed to the real disease, it’s immune system will recognize it, and therefore be prepared to fight it off, or at the least reduce its effects.
What Are The Signs Of Canine Influenza When Should I Suspect Canine Influenza Rather Than Kennel Cough And When Should I Take My Dog To The Veterinarian
“The symptoms of canine influenza are similar to the human flu: cough, runny nose, and fever.”
The symptoms of canine influenza are similar to the human flu: cough, runny nose, and fever. The most common clinical sign associated with canine influenza is a cough that does not respond to antibiotic or cough suppressant therapy, and lasts 10-21 days. This cough may be productive or non-productive , and may be associated with reduced appetite and lethargy. The majority of dogs infected with canine influenza will display mild clinical signs. Dogs infected with the H3N2 strain of canine influenza appear to be at greater risk of developing more severe clinical signs.
The CI virus is virtually identical to other respiratory infections such as kennel cough. In fact, many cases of CIV may be mistaken as kennel cough or other infections in the canine infectious respiratory disease complex because of these similarities. Because of the difficulty in distinguishing canine influenza from CIRD, any dog with these clinical signs should be seen by a veterinarian.
Older dogs and dogs with heart and respiratory conditions are at particular risk for CIV. Dogs with short, flat faces , such as Boston Terriers, Boxers, Pekingese, Pugs, and Shih Tzus, are also at higher risk.
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How Long Does It Take A Vaccine To Produce Immunity
Within a few hours of vaccination, the earliest phases of the immune response are being stimulated. It usually requires ten to fourteen days before a reasonable level of protection is established. Killed vaccines may not provide adequate protection until after the second dose. In young puppies, maternal antibodies may hinder protection until later in the vaccine series.
Therefore, it is advisable to keep even a vaccinated pup away from dogs or pups of unknown vaccination history until it has finished its vaccination course.
Can I Get The Flu Vaccine If I Have A Latex Allergy
Influenza vaccines used in Australia dont contain latex and are safe for people with a latex allergy or sensitivity. While the product information for Fluarix Tetra and Fluad Quad state that some presentations of the vaccine cannot be considered latex-free, these presentations are actually not supplied in Australia.
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Canine Flu: What Should You Be Afraid Of
Over the past few months TV stations and newspapers have been full of warnings about the canine flu epidemic, especially in cities like Chicago, where they said 1,500 dogs got the flu in one outbreak.
Some articles called it the deadly dog flu though they didnt actually report how many dogs had actually died from it.
Even the New York Times ran a story about canine flu. They warned that 80 percent of dogs who get the virus become ill. And they described how vet clinics were being overwhelmed by dogs with high fevers, hacking coughs, copiously dripping noses, runny eyes, lethargy and loss of appetite.
Ugh that sounds nasty and you dont want your dog to get it.
Veterinary clinics are making it sound pretty scary too. They have posters explaining how sick dogs can get, and they put signs in their windows advertising Canine Flu Shots HERE.
The two companies who make dog flu vaccines are also providing lots of information about the epidemic. They describe how easily the flu can be spread and they keep track of the latest state to have an outbreak.
So lets dig a little deeper and see how bad this epidemic really is. And lets also take a look at whether you should get your dog a flu shot.
First, a bit of history about the two viruses going around.
Which Civ Strains Should Be Vaccinated Against
As both H3N8 and H3N2 are present in the US, it is recommended to vaccinate for both strains. The easiest way to do this is with a bivalent vaccine. It should be assumed that monovalent CIV vaccines offer no cross-strain protection.
What is the canine influenza vaccine schedule?
Nobivac®: initial cover with two subcutaneous doses 2-4 weeks apart in healthy dogs 6 weeks of age or 7 weeks of age , with single annual booster doses if still considered at-risk.
Vanguard®: initial cover with two subcutaneous doses 3 weeks apart in healthy dogs 8 weeks of age , with single annual booster doses if still considered at-risk.
Dogs are only considered protected 2 weeks after the second initial dose, regardless of age. Dogs prone to re-location should be diligently followed up for their second dose.
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Where Did Dog Influenza Originate Why Does That Matter
The origin of dog influenza is cited as being initiated from a virus, known as H3N8, that had begun in horses and, somewhere along the way, transitioned into dogs. Also, a different type of virus is thought to have sparked another round of flu the H3N2 from a bird virus that then transferred to dogs as well.
Dog flu, whether from birds or horses, developed and was transferred in very modern history. Because the viruses are so new, it means that dogs have not had time to develop an immunity towards them. Thats why, if exposed, 80% of dogs that come into contact with a dog flu virus will contract the virus and show symptoms.
How To Treat Dog Flu
There are currently no antiviral agents approved to treat canine influenza. Your vet may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help control fever and inflammation in the nasal passages and throat. If your dog develops a secondary bacterial infection, your vet will prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.
Some dogs that have not been eating or drinking may need to be hospitalized for nutritional support .
In addition to medical treatment, there are some things you can do at home to help treat dog flu.
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How Is Dog Flu Spread Now
Since the virus has transferred over to dogs, the flu spreads much more rapidly. The virus is mostly contracted through airborne particles , touch or transference from a human petting one dog and then their own dog. Even a friendly lick could spread the virus.
The dog flu, due to the method of contraction, is most prevalent in close communities. For example, if you live in a busy city and go to a bustling dog park, put your dog in a doggy daycare with other canines or go on long walks around a lake with lots of other pups, that may put your dog more at risk. However, if you live in a remote area where they wander the countryside or have a lot of space that is more isolated, they may be less in need of the vaccine.
What Can I Do To Care For My Dog With Canine Influenza And How Severe Is The Infection In Most Cases
Virtually 100% of dogs exposed to CIV will become infected. For this reason, it is important that owners of dogs diagnosed with the virus keep them away from other dogs. This includes trips to the groomers or dog parks and contact with other dogs during walks and in kennels. Clothing, equipment, floors, and hands should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water after contact with any dog with signs of respiratory illness.
“Virtually 100% of dogs exposed to the canine influenza virus will contract the disease, so it is important that owners of infected dogs keep them away from any unvaccinated dogs.”
About 80% of infected dogs will develop respiratory signs, while the other 20% will remain healthy but continue to spread the infection. Most infected dogs will develop clinical signs within 2 days of exposure to the virus. Current research indicates that an infected dog stops shedding the virus up to 20 days after the start of clinical signs. Just like the human flu virus, CIV is most infectious before a dog shows signs of illness. Because many dog owners wont know when their dog contracted CIV, infected dogs should be quarantined at home for 4 weeks after diagnosis.
A small percentage of dogs, especially those that are older or have pre-existing conditions or short, flat faces, will develop potentially life-threatening pneumonia. These dogs are at risk for serious complications, including death, and must be treated promptly and aggressively.
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Do Vaccines Provide 100% Protection
Vaccines have been highly successful in protecting the majority of dogs against disease. As a direct result of vaccination, previously common diseases such as distemper are now rare. But there are situations in which the dogs immunity may be overcome and a vaccinated dog may still develop disease. In such cases the disease is generally milder than it would have been had the dog not been vaccinated.
Some causes for apparent vaccine failure are:
Maternally derived antibodies. As mentioned above, when a puppy is born and after it suckles its mother, it acquires a proportion of antibodies from the mother. A well-vaccinated female will transfer antibodies to her puppies for the diseases she has been vaccinated against, as well as any others she has acquired naturally. Such antibodies protect the pup against those diseases for the first two or three months of its life, the most critical time. However, during this same period, the maternally derived antibodies can block the pup’s ability to respond to vaccination.
“Maternal antibody interference has been a particular problem with canine parvovirus vaccination.”
Incomplete immune response. There is variation between dogs’ immune systems. Some respond less well to vaccination, so immunity may be incomplete or shorter-lived than normal. Certain breeds and genetic lines have a tendency for such problems.
Where Did Canine Influenza Viruses Come From And How Long Have They Been Around
Canine influenza H3N8 viruses originated in horses, spread to dogs, and can now spread between dogs. H3N8 equine influenza viruses have been known to exist in horses for more than 40 years. In 2004, cases of an unknown respiratory illness in dogs were reported in the United States. An investigation showed that this respiratory illness was caused by equine influenza A viruses. Scientists believe this virus jumped species and has adapted to cause illness in dogs and spread among dogs, especially those housed in kennels and shelters. This is now considered a dog-specific, or canine, H3N8 virus. In September 2005, this virus was identified by experts as a newly emerging pathogen in the dog population in the United States. It has now been detected in dogs across much of the United States.
Canine influenza H3N2 viruses originated in birds, spread to dogs, and can now spread between dogs. Transmission of H3N2 canine influenza viruses to cats from infected dogs has been reported also. Canine influenza A H3N2 viruses were first detected in dogs in South Korea in 2007, and also have been reported in dogs in China, Thailand, and Canada. H3N2 canine influenza viruses were first detected in the United States in , and has now been found in more than 30 states. To date, the H3N2 canine viruses reported in the U.S. have been almost genetically identical to canine H3N2 viruses previously reported only in Asia.
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Can People Get The Flu From A Dog With Canine Influenza
CIV poses no threat to humans and is being closely monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Health Canada, and their partners. If your dog does contract CIV, you can feel comfortable giving it plenty of TLC and your veterinarians recommended treatments without worry of contracting the infection yourself.
What Should I Do If My Dog Is Coughing After Receiving The Bordetella Vaccine
As a general rule, reactions to the vaccine are mild and short-lived. If your dog demonstrates any of the above symptoms, including a persistent cough, for more than a day or two you should contact your vet to seek additional medical care. In rare extreme cases, a serious adverse reaction to the vaccine may require medical intervention.
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