Dog Flu

I had a call today from a new owner concerning Canine Influenza Virus (CIV).  

There have been several cases in the area where the puppy is going and I would love an opportunity to share what little I know and of course always check behind me (to make sure my info is not wrong)  and do your own research if it's an area that interests or concerns you!  

So here's what I have learned so far:  There are two kinds of Canine or Dog Flu: H3N8 and H3N2.  A couple of vaccines are available for use against the H3N8 strain but not the H3N2.

 The CDC does not know if there will be protection provided by the one single strain vaccine if the dog is infected by the other.  This is a problem in the flu vaccine people take -- if the vaccine doesn't contain the right mixes of flu strains and you catch another you can still get that type of flu.

Puppies can be vaccinated at 6 weeks, but the danger from CIV is much much less than the dangers of Parvovirus, or Distemper or Rabies. A time of isolation of a new puppy when it comes home at 8 weeks is needed to protect it from (especially) Parvovirus which often takes multiple vaccination to elicit an immune response that will protect the puppy.  So keeping your young dog at home is critical during the first 4 months until he or she has had several vaccines and time to build a wall of protection against these diseases.  If you decide on a flu vaccine to be part of that program then you have time to get it too.  Symptoms are similar to human symptoms and providing comfort and supportive care is all that is needed in most cases.  However if you are reading this you probably have or will soon have a BULLDOG and these short-nosed breeds often suffer more extreme symptoms since their noses and sinuses are shortened.  Talk it over with your vet and weight the benefits of vaccination...it may well be worth it to get the vaccine since these are special dogs!!