Canine Influenza Virus

[ivegrgas]

Since there have been recent cases of dogs diagnosed with the Canine Influenza Virus I would like to ask the Forum members for their thoughts about:

1) Diagnosing Flu - I understand that symptoms are similar to that of Kennel Cough (coughing / sneezing / nasal discharge/ decreased appetite, and/ or fever). But at what point should one suspect it is flu? How to confirm?

2) Center for Disease Control has noted the percentage of dogs that die from the flu is very small (less than 1%) however there are recommendations for a flu vaccine. Is flu vaccine ever acceptable course of prevention? Additionally, are there alternatives one should consider?

3) Suggestions for prevention of flu such as (a) avoid places where dogs congregate such as doggie daycares, agility competitions, boarding facilities, pet shops, groomers, lobbies and common areas at vet clinics and other dog facilities; (b) avoid shared dog toys and water bowls placed in the community. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hey Ive, great to see you here!

There really is not much problem with the flu. The exception is situations of high exposure and increased susceptibility of the individual.

Xia has <em>virtually no risk</em> because of her lifestyle (you're doing everything right!).

1) As you said, flu suspicion is based on flu-like symptoms. But only if they are in conjunction with exposure. Here's the list from Pet MD: Coughing, Sneezing, Variable fever, clear nasal discharge that progresses to thick, yellowish-green mucus, rapid/difficult breathing, loss of appetite, lethargy.

Changes in BEAM especially.

Laboratory confirmation is not usually needed and not frequently performed. Idexx lab may have developed a PCR (polymerase chain reaction that amplifies any DNA from the virus) for the flu, but like most laboratory assays for confirmation the test results are often not useful.

2) The flu vaccine is a great example of an intervention that does NOT pass the risk:benefit assessment. One of it's ingredients (like aluminum, mercury, formaldehyde, etc) is virtually guaranteed to negatively effect the immune system <strong>without much upside</strong>.

See #3 for the one exception.

3) The primary problem with this flu, like with all bacterial and viral diseases (note the lack of the hyphen in dis-ease) is for dogs with high exposure as you described.

However, even if you need to bring her to places where there has been a known outbreak, the risk can be decreased. The strategy is to use the simple intermittent immune stimulation effect. Similar to going to the gym and working out.

You don't work out to the point of collapse and muscle fiber destruction. Rather you do a defined number of sets and reps using weights of increasing size. This gradually builds strength and muscle size.

Building natural immunity works the same way. Small exposures at a time. At first, minimize exposure to indoor and poorly ventilated areas. Alternate exposure with a quick trip into the fresh outdoor air. So if you're in agility class and waiting for your dog's turn, take a short walk outside instead of just waiting around inside.

This method is like the dose-response effect of medications. The higher the dose, the greater the effect (or the higher the exposure, the greater the chance of illness).

Of course the best preventive is still your pup's strong immune system and high vitality.

Other strategies include use of homeopathic nosodes and using the genus epidemicus method that I mentioned in another post.

Feel free to follow-up with other questions. I look forward to hearing what others have to say.

Dr. Jeff