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Since most dogs are not vaccinated against canine influenza, nearly all dogs exposed are at risk of contracting the virus
Most people know that the latest flu vaccination can help them avoid the debilitating, sometimes deadly, effects of influenza. But few realize that a new vaccine can help protect their dogs against canine influenza.
Dog flu,which has been confirmed in 38 states, is a growing problem throughout the United States, according to Petfinder.com (Tucson, Am.).
Dogs don't have a natural immunity to the canine influenza virus, so nearly all dogs exposed to the virus will contract it.
The virus spreads primarily through airborne particles and contaminated surfaces. Therefore, dogs visiting grooming salons, boarding kennels, day care facilities, training classes or dog parks as well as dogs in shelters and rescue facilities can be exposed to the virus, according to Merck Animal Health (Summit, N.J.), which makes the only USDA-approved canine flu vaccine.
Canine flu symptoms vary. Some dogs exhibit no symptoms but remain contagious. About 80 percent of infected dogs exhibit mild symptoms, such as fever, a runny nose and coughing. A small percentage of infected dogs experience high fever and develop pneumonia, which can be fatal.
Since the majority of local dogs have not been vaccinated, canine influenza poses an merging threat to our pet community.
UTiile Merck's Nobivac H3N8 canine flu vaccine doesn't make dogs immune to the virus, it decreases the severity of symptoms and limits the spread of the virus.
Merck recently teamed with the Petfinder.com Foundation to donate nearly 1 million doses of the vaccine to approximately 1,400 animal shelters and rescue groups as part of its "Building Community Immunity" Program.
Vaccinating dogs in shelters and rescues is an important step to help build community immunity against canine influenza because they are adopted out into various locations and move from state to state.
You can prevent the spread of canine influenza virus and many other viruses by disinfecting surfaces frequently with bleach solutions and quaternary ammonium compounds. You also may be able to destroy airborne viruses by using
traviolet light.
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