Canine influenza (CIV) is a highly contagious respiratory disease of concern to all dogs, but of special concern to dogs in boarding facilities, shelters, rescue groups, and anywhere dogs gather or are co-housed. Dogs who are otherwise compromised may suffer more severely. Two strains of CIV have been identified; neither appears capable of infecting humans.
As of early 2018, an outbreak of CIV is occurring in the Bay Area. The outbreak is reported to include both strains of the dangerous virus, and therefore is believed to pose an exceptional risk. For the safety of your dog as well as the other dogs in the facility, the bivalent vaccine (which protects against both strains) now is required for dogs that board at San Bruno Pet Hospital.
The bivalent vaccine is available at San Bruno Pet Hospital, and our staff will be happy to discuss the process of vaccination with you. If your dog has a special medical condition that may preclude vaccination, please advise our staff.
Even if your dog is not scheduled to be a guest in our kennel, he or she may benefit from the canine influenza vaccine. Our staff will be happy to speak with you in order to help you determine whether the canine influenza vaccine is right for your dog. Please contact our office at (650) 515-4340 if you are interested in learning more about the vaccine.
CLINICAL SIGNS:
When canine influenza first strikes a given population, a large percentage of dogs will become infected in a wave-like pattern with up to 20% of the population showing no signs of disease. All exposed dogs should be considered an infectious risk, whether or not they are showing signs of respiratory infection. In most dogs, signs of infection are similar to canine infectious respiratory disease (“kennel cough”), and may include:
- Mild low-grade fever
- Soft, moist (productive), or dry, honking cough lasting 10-30 days
- Poor response to antibiotics or cough suppressants
- +/- thick, purulent/mildly bloody nasal discharge
- Decreased appetite and activity
After the initial onset of coughing, 10-20% of dogs may progress to a more severe form of infection, including:
- High fever (104-106 F)
- Pneumonia
- Death (overall fatality rate varies and is between 1-5%)
The vaccine is labeled for use in puppies 6 weeks of age and older, and should be given as two injections, 2-4 weeks apart. The requirement for a booster means there is a 4-6 week delay in onset of maximum immunity; however, some degree of protection will be offered to a dog that has started but not completed the vaccination process. The series of two vaccines should ideally be completed at least two weeks before boarding to allow for optimal immune response. However, at this time partially vaccinated dogs will be permitted to be guests in our boarding facility.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to keep your dog safe.
Ref: http://www.sheltermedicine.com/library/resources/canine-influenza