Canine Influenza Update

Over the last few months, canine influenza (canine flu) has been an emerging disease that contributes to Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRD Complex).  Here at Kaibab Animal Hospital we promised you that we would keep you updated and we have been monitoring this disease and the spread of it across the country.  Unfortunately, canine flu has found its way into Arizona and the indication is that the number of cases will only continue to increase in the coming months.  Cases have now been reported in Pima County and over a dozen cases here in Maricopa County too.  Because of this, Kaibab Animal Hospital has decided that it is now time to begin recommending the flu vaccine to all of our at-risk patients.  The two vaccines available, H3N8 and the newer H3N2, are given as an initial dose that needs to be boostered 2-4 weeks afterwards and then boostered annually thereafter.

Canine flu is not a seasonal disease like it is in people, so your dog is constantly at risk for contracting it.  Some breeds are more susceptible to the virus and the seriousness of the disease than others but on average, there is approximately an 8% mortality risk with this disease.  This means that up to 8% of dogs that contract canine flu may die from complications.  This number increases to near 30% in hound-breeds.  Though most dogs will survive the infection, the damage done to the lungs during the course of the disease is severe and permanent.  The two predominant strains of canine flu (H3N8 and H3N2) both have very effective vaccines that can prevent the disease from ever starting in your dog.

Does your dog:

• Visit doggie Daycare?
  
• Board at a boarding facility?
• Attend training classes?
• Play at dog parks?
• Participate in dog-friendly events?
• Attend dog shows or sporting events?
• Visit a groomer or the local pet store?
• Often greet other dogs during walks?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your dog is at a higher risk for contracting canine influenza and vaccination is recommended.  Now that we are into the holiday season and boarding of dogs increases dramatically, your dog needs to be protected if they will be staying at a boarding facility.  Please call us to schedule an appointment and get your canine family member started with the initial vaccination in the series.

Canine Flu: Is Your Dog At Risk?

Most of us have experienced the flu at one or more times in our lives.  The nausea, fever, aching, lethargy, and overall ickyness of how it makes us feel is enough to make you run out and get your flu shot the next year in hopes of not getting it again.  In people, there are many types of influenza and the vaccine that we can get is a ‘best guess’ vaccine for the type of flu that the CDC predicts will be most common for the coming year.  In dogs though, we have only typically had one type of influenza, H3N8 (all influenzas are classified into one of 18 ‘H’ groups and one of 11 ‘N’ groups).  Thankfully, this canine influenza has not been very common and outbreaks tend to come from very concentrated populations of dogs, such as in kennels or at the pound.  There is a vaccine for this ‘old’ influenza, though it is not used commonly because of the rarity of this disease.  However, a new type of influenza appeared in the Chicago area in March of 2015.  It has been circulating in China and South Korea since 2006 and has had a lot of people talking, speculating, and worrying about what to do.  This ‘new’ influenza has been classified H3N2.

Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine for this new type of influenza and the vaccine that we have for the other strain appears to have no activity against H3N2.  At Kaibab Animal Hospital, we have received many calls from clients who are worried about this disease affecting very valuable members of their family so let’s look at this disease a little more.

As in people, dogs who get infected with H3N2 influenza can show signs of fever and lethargy but can also develop severe complications such as pneumonia.  In the initial outbreak in Chicago, approximately 1,000 dogs were infected.  With treatment, most survived but approximately 0.5% died as a result of the infection.  Although there is no vaccine available, there is a very reliable test that can be done if we suspect your pet is infected with this influenza.  At present, this strain has not yet been seen in Arizona but cases have been reported in North Carolina, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and Georgia.  There is no way to predict if and when this disease will make its way to Arizona but as of now, the closest cases appear to be at least a few states away.  If you have recently traveled or are planning to travel to one these area soon, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss any concerns you may have.

Rest assured, Kaibab Animal Hospital is tracking these cases and will keep you informed of any new developments.  At this time there is no need for you to worry too much about this disease.  Most of the infected dogs will recover with proper supportive care but do be vigilant and make sure to schedule an appointment if you are worried that anything may be wrong with your beloved pet.  The key to beating this flu is quick and proper intervention for your furry friend.