Canine influenza…its not swine!!!
The canine flu...get your dog vaccinated!!!!
Many of us are concerned about the outbreak of the swine flu around the world and how quickly someone will come up with a vaccine that will work. However, what many people are not aware of is that there is an influenza virus that specifically affects dogs and it is known as the canine influenza virus infection, a type A, subtype H3N8. This canine influenza was first identified in the United States in 2004, but since that time it has spreat to 30 states and the District of Columbia.
However, last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service granted a conditional product license for Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s Canine Influenza Vaccine, H3N8. The vaccine will reduce the severity of the effects of the virus and minimize the duration of coughing and viral shedding.
According to Cynda Crawford, DVM, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of shelter medicine at the University of Florida, “Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection that has a significant impact on dogs housed in shelters, kennels and communal facilities. The availability of a vaccine can help prevent the medical, financial and emotional costs associated with this new virus.”
The virus that causes this virus is so very new, that very few dogs have had he ability to build up immunity to this virus. This has added to the fact that the disease is easy to spread so very quickly in places where dogs congregate. The vaccine can be given to dogs six weeks of age and older and would be given in two intervals two to four weeks apart. The vaccine can be given annually, which will help prevent the spread of the disease over time. Perhaps canine flu will be able to be eliminated in a few short years. In the mean time, talk to your vet and get your dog vaccinated.
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