Sep 22, 2009 5:53 pm US/Central
Does Your Dog Need A Flu Vaccine This Fall?
(CBS)
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Maria Gage of Chicago holds her beagle-terrier mix, Max. She said she planned to get Max a vaccine after learning about the threat of canine flu.
CBS
As if swine flu, or H1N1 virus, wasn't enough for your family to worry about, now pet owners can add H3N8, better known as the canine flu, to their potential worries.
In 2003, the virus began spreading across America, infecting dogs with sneezes, sniffles and fever. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports on why your dog could use a vaccine.
Maria Gage of Chicago had a lot of questions when it comes to the canine flu and her seven-year-old pooch Max.
"Can people get this from their dog, because I, you know, kiss my dog," Gage said. "So, I'd want to know that. ... I really love my dog."
Dr. Derrick Landini was the first veterinarian to diagnose a case of canine influenza virus, or CIV, in Illinois last year. In response to Gage's question, Dr. Landini, of Animal Ark Veterinary Clinic in Chicago, said, "Absolutely not. It's a whole different strain."
When Landini discovered the first CIV case, only five states – Illinois, Wisconsin, Florida, Colorado and New York – had infected dogs. As of Tuesday, 30 states had confirmed cases.
Landini said while CIV is rarely fatal, it is highly contagious among dogs. Just about every dog exposed to the virus becomes infected. With that in mind, Landini recommended vaccination for your pets.
"I think it's a great idea, especially in a bigger city like Chicago, New York, Atlanta, those places where they have these hotbeds of infection," Landini said.
Gage had another question for Landini: "What are the side effects of the inoculation?"
Landini said dogs "could have a reaction where they get a little quiet after the vaccine or something a little more serious." Landini also said side effects can include, "facial swelling, difficulty breathing, hives, sort of like a bee sting reaction."
Gage said no matter what the side effects, she'd still vaccinate her beagle-terrier mix, Max.
"Anything that will prolong the life of my dog and keep him healthy, I'm so into. Yes," Gage said.
But dog owner Sean Collings saw things differently. Collings said, "I feel that they're healthy dogs and I try to do everything as natural as possible."
Holisitic Veterinarian, Dr. Barbara Royal agreed with that approach. Royal, with The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center in Chicago, said, "Where we can limit vaccines, it's definitely better for the animal, long-term. If they're not at risk and they're not gonna necessarily be exposed, there isn't a good reason to do a vaccine that can cause a problem down the line."
So in the end, you'll have to decide what's right for you and your pooch when it comes to the canine influenza vaccine.
The following websites have information on CIV:
www.doginfluenza.com
www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/canine_bgnd.asp
www.sheltermedicine.com/portal/is_canine_influenza_update.shtml
www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-canine-flu-question-and-answer.html
www.royaltreatmentvetspa.com
www.animalark.us
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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