Although there have been no instances reported so far in New York State, people who share their lives with dogs are concerned about a mysterious respiratory illness that has been affecting dogs in various parts of the country. There is currently no vaccine specifically designed to prevent this disease, but veterinarians are recommending, as protection from this disease, that dogs be vaccinated for Bordatella (kennel cough) and for Canine Influenza. Today, the Columbia-Greene Humane Society announced it will be offering a Canine Influenza Vaccination Clinic.
The Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA will be hosting a Canine Influenza Vaccine Clinic. To properly vaccinate dogs against Canine Influenza, dogs require two vaccinations two to four weeks apart. CGHS/SPCA will be requiring all shelter dogs and all visiting boarding, daycare, and grooming dogs to be vaccinated against Canine Influenza.
CGHS/SPCA Canine Influenza Vaccine Clinic
Location: Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA
111 Humane Society Road, Hudson, NY
Dates:
1st Vaccine--January 20, 8 to 10 a.m.
2nd Vaccine--February 10, 8 to 10 a.m.
No appointment is necessary. The public is welcome. The cost is $39 per vaccine. There is no office charge.
About the Canine Influenza Virus (CIV)
Influenza A virus can cause infection in many mammalian and avian species and exists in multiple subtypes. CIV was first identified as a factor in canine respiratory disease in 2004. The virus is a genetic variant of the H3B8 equine influenza virus that gained the ability to infect dogs. The key change in the virus was the ability for transmission of the virus from dog to dog. The Asian H3N2 virus is derived from an avian strain that also gained the ability to infect dogs and be transmitted from dog to dog. As is the case with all influenza viruses, there is the opportunity for changes in the virus that could affect transmission rates and increase or decrease the ability of the virus to cause respiratory illness.
Transmission and Symptoms
CIV is transmitted by close contact with an infected dog, often in a restricted space such as an animal shelter, daycare center, or boarding kennel. Casual contact is less likely to be a factor mainly due to the relatively low amount of virus shed by an infected dog. Virtually all dogs are susceptible regardless of age or breed.
Influenza virus infection in dogs follows a similar pattern to infections in other species. The onset of clinical signs will to 2-3 days post infection. Peak of the virus shed is 3-4 days post infection. Longer shedding times of up to 24 days have been identified in dogs infected with H3N2. Because of the differences in the time dogs may shed virus, the quarantine of 7 days is recommended for dogs with H3N8 influenza, while a 21-day quarantine is recommended for dogs with H3N2 influenza. Dogs may continue to cough for several weeks following recovery from acute infection. While in the past CIV infections in and of themselves have not shown a significant mortality rate, CIV infections as well as other respiratory viruses compromise the normal defenses of the lung permitting secondary bacterial pneumonias. (Information source: Cornell University)
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