VCA James River Animal Hospital

What You Need to Know About Canine Influenza

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Dog Flu

(Canine Influenza Virus)

 

Canine Influenza Virus (CIV, H3N8) is an emerging disease that was first recognized in Florida in 2004, and is now seen in 30 states (VA among them) and DC.  There are many similarities to human flu. Infection is spread through respiratory secretions (coughing, sneezing) and can be spread by fomites (lives on surfaces, carried on clothing, etc).  The virus can live on surfaces up to a week, but is readily inactivated by Clorox and other disinfectants. It currently is not known to infect humans or other animals. It is likely to infect ferrets, but so far has not been diagnosed in this species.

 

Incubation period is 2-7 days. Infection may be mild, or can develop into life-threatening pneumonia.  Signs include fever, reduced appetite, cough, sneezing, and lethargy. Peak viral shedding occurs BEFORE clinical signs appear. Additionally, carriers can shed the virus. In other words, your dog may be infected by an apparently healthy dog.

 

Vaccination

This is the first year that vaccination has been available.  The vaccine is inactivated and cannot cause disease. As with human flu, vaccination does not infer complete immunity, rather reduces the severity of illness if your dog becomes infected. Vaccination will also reduce spread of the virus. A series of two vaccines, given 2-4 weeks apart, is needed. Dogs do not build adequate immunity until 2 weeks after the second vaccine. If your dog is scheduled to be in contact with other dogs (training classes, boarding, grooming, etc), we highly recommend beginning the vaccination series immediately.

 

At VCA James River Animal Hospital, Canine Influenza Virus  vaccination is REQUIRED for boarding or grooming of all dogs over 6 weeks of age, effective immediately.

 

CIV vaccination is STRONGLY recommended for all puppies, seniors, and any immune compromised dogs, such as cancer patients, dogs with history of demodectic mange, or those on frequent/chronic steroids or other immune suppressive drugs.

 

Vaccination is STRONGLY recommended for those dogs with close contact with other dogs, or in places where other dogs have been:

1.       Training classes

2.       Pet store visits

3.       Dog parks

4.       Travelling

5.       Contact with neighborhood dogs through a fence

6.       Owners in contact with unvaccinated dogs (vet staff, shelter or pet store workers, etc)

 

CIV vaccination is also recommended for normal, healthy adult dogs as part of their routine preventive health care.

 

We face the same challenges of any human health care facility, and strive to maintain a safe environment.  Although we take precautions (such as routine disinfection procedures, requiring vaccination, and not boarding apparently sick animals), the spread of contagious diseases cannot be controlled in a facility that houses multiple animals. For reasons stated above, VCA James River Animal Hospital does not take financial or other responsibility if your pet becomes ill with CIV while boarding at or visiting our facility.

 

Ask us how to protect your pet today!

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