How to handle ‘dog flu’ — vaccinate or not?
Q: While on vacation, some friends were discussing the dog flu outbreak in their hometown. I’ve heard about it, but really don’t know much. Should I be concerned? Should I vaccinate? I have three dogs. J.S., Lenoir City
A: The canine influenza virus, or “dog flu,” was first reported about 20 years ago. Today, there are multiple strains recognized, the most common being H3N2 and H3N8. The vaccine available covers both of these strains.
There have been a few outbreaks in the past six months, including Nashville and the surrounding states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. There have been a few cases in the Knoxville area.
Whether you should vaccinate your dog depends on his/her lifestyle. Vaccinating your dog is recommended if you travel with your dog, frequent dog parks or take them to boarding/grooming facilities frequently. The virus is highly contagious and can be spread through direct contact or aerosolized particles where infected dogs have coughed or sneezed.
Infected dogs will generally feel poorly, have a fever, cough and nasal discharge. Most will have mild clinical signs, but a small percentage may develop pneumonia. Those most at risk for pneumonia tend to be very young, very old or immunocompromised.
Treatment primarily consists of symptomatic care, which could include hospitalization for those severely affected. Human antiviral drugs have not been proven to be helpful for affected dogs.
The vaccine for canine influenza requires two boosters initially, and then once yearly. The vaccine has been on backorder recently, presumably related to the outbreaks and increased usage. Dog owners should talk to their veterinarian regarding their pet’s lifestyle, potential exposure and overall health status when making vaccination decisions.
For questions, e-mail lenoircityanimalclinic@gmail.com
