Canine Influenza Vaccination
Determining Which Dogs Need to be Vaccinated Against the Flu
Sep 5, 2009
Canine influenza, also known as "dog flu", is caused by a type A influenza virus designated as subtype H3N8. Recently, a new vaccination against canine influenza was approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for conditional licensure.
Symptoms of Canine Influenza
Canine influenza affects the respiratory tract of infected dogs. First diagnosed in 2004 in greyhound kennels, the virus has now been recognized in a number of pounds, shelters and veterinary hospitals.
Canine influenza normally causes mild respiratory symptoms which are frequently confused with those of kennel cough. However, in a small minority of cases, pneumonia becomes a complicating factor and there have been deaths associated with canine influenza virus infection.
At the current time, most infections of canine influenza have been located in areas where dogs tend to be housed together in large numbers, such as pounds, shelters, kennel facilities and veterinary hospitals. Because the virus has not become widespread in the general canine population, most dogs are likely to become infected when and if they are exposed to the disease.
New Vaccine for Canine Influenza
The vaccine for canine influenza does not actually prevent infection with canine influenza. According to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, the manufacturer of the vaccine, the vaccine "has been demonstrated to reduce the incidence and severity of lung lesions, as well as the duration of coughing and viral shedding."
Canine vaccinations are normally classified by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) as core or non-core vaccines. The canine influenza vaccine is classified as a non-core vaccine, indicating that the vaccine should only be considered for those dogs who are likely to be exposed to the canine influenza virus.
Determining Whether Vaccination Against Canine Influenza is Important
Dogs which are not likely to be exposed to canine influenza should not be vaccinated against the virus. However, it may be difficult to determine which dogs are at risk.
Dogs which are placed in crowded situations, such as boarding kennels, are likely to be at higher risk of exposure than other dogs. Populations of dogs at risk for kennel cough are likely to be at risk for canine influenza as well. Therefore, dogs requiring the Bordetella or "kennel cough" vaccine may also be candidates for the canine influenza vaccine.
Dogs in shelter or pound situations may also benefit from the canine influenza vaccine, especially in instances where other dogs in the kennel are exhibiting respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing or nasal discharges.
However, dogs in the general population who are not placed in kennel situations or other crowded situations may not be at high risk of exposure to disease and therefore may not be candidates for vaccination against canine influenza. However, this may also be a calculated risk with no guarantee that the dog may not be exposed to the canine influenza virus while visiting a neighbor or on a neighborhood walk. Pet owners need to determine, with the aid of their veterinarian, whether the risks associated with vaccinating their dog against canine influenza outweigh the risks of not vaccinating. Factors that need to be considered are the individual lifestyle of the dog and the incidence of canine influenza in the local area.
Vaccinating Against Canine Influenza, or "Dog Flu"
The availability of a new vaccine against canine influenza has made it necessary for dog owners to determine whether their dog is in need of this vaccine. Dogs most likely to be candidates for the canine influenza vaccine are those who are likely to be placed in boarding kennels, grooming parlors, veterinary hospitals or other areas where dogs congregate. There is also an important place for this vaccine in the management of shelter populations which may be exposed to canine influenza.
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