What You Need to Know About the New Canine Flu Vaccine

In 2004, a new illness, canine flu, began to afflict dogs in many part of the U.S. Canine flu has many similarities to human flu: it presents the same symptoms (fever, runny nose, coughing and sneezing), is highly contagious, is relatively mild in most sufferers, and usually can be treated effectively with lots of rest and plenty of fluids.

Earlier this year, a canine flu vaccine was introduced for the first time. If you are considering giving your dog canine flu vaccine, here is some information you need to know to help you make the right decision for your pet.

Highly Contagious and Highly Infectious. Not only is canine flu highly contagious, but, because it is a relatively new disease in dogs, most dogs have no immunity to it. As a result, if your dog is exposed to canine flu and he has not had it before, there is a very good chance that he will become infected with it.

Spreads Where Dogs Meet. Canine flu spreads most readily in places where multiple dogs come in contact, such as kennels, dog parks and dog shows. Therefore, if your dog has little or no contact with other canines (with the exception of any other dogs that live in your home), he probably is not going to contract canine flu.

Dogs with Health Problems at Greater Risk. The dogs most at risk for serious health problems from canine flu are those with underlying health conditions. Also, those with flattened faces that make it difficult for them to breathe may be at more risk of developing pneumonia after catching the flu.

Not Transmittable to Humans. There is no indication that canine flu can be transmitted from dogs to people.

Reduces Symptoms. The canine flu vaccine is more likely to moderate the severity and duration of flu symptoms than to prevent the canine flu.

Somewhat Controversial. Some experts do not recommend giving pets canine flu vaccine because they believe that dogs and other animals are already over-vaccinated. Further, they argue that over-vaccination poses its own risks to pets and point out that canine flu itself may be a mutation of equine flu that was transmitted to dogs when horses were vaccinated for equine flu in Florida (canine flu first appeared in Greyhounds at a race track in Florida).

Whether or not to vaccinate your dog for canine flu is a personal decision that should be made on a case-by-case basis. Before deciding whether to have your dog vaccinated for canine flu, talk to your vet about the pros and cons. The best candidates for vaccination may be dogs that are likely to be boarded or to be put in other situations where they will be exposed to many strange dogs, dogs that have not already had canine flu, and/or dogs that have underlying health conditions.

Sources:

Sandy Moyer, www.bellaonline.com/articles , Canine Flu - Is Your Dog at Risk? - Dogs

www.cbsnews.com, Dog flu: Symptoms, Treatment and More - CBS News

www.dogs4dogs.com, Dog Flu: Does Your Dog Need the New Vaccine?/Truth4Dogs

Donald G. McNeil, Jr., www.nytimes.com, New Flu Vaccine Approved - for Dogs - NYTimes.com