| Canine Flu
This is an email I received on canine flu. It is meant for people in a service dog program. Not all emails are meant to be shared on the net. I have deleted identifying information. The information left applies to all dogs.
With all the questions about human flu and flu shots, people are asking
questions about canine flu and the new flu vaccine for dogs. Canine
influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It was originally
diagnosed in racing greyhound kennels. It is suspected to have developed
from the Equine influenza virus. Because it is a new virus, all dogs are
susceptible and 80-100% of exposed dogs will develop signs of infection
and some will go on to develop pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, cough
and depression. It is hard to tell apart from kennel cough except that
the symptoms are somewhat worse and will affect many more dogs. At this
time, canine influenza has not been diagnosed in the _____ area.
Until there is a proven threat, we are not vaccinating _____ training
dogs, Foster Puppies or Breeding Stock. The vaccine is new and unproven
in the general population. I would like to wait until enough dogs have
been vaccinated all over the country that any problems will be found and
corrected. If canine influenza does become evident in our area, we will
begin a vaccination program for all ______ dogs. If any of our Foster
Puppies or Breeding Dogs are housed in an area where canine influenza
has been diagnosed, they should follow the recommendations of their
local veterinarian.
One major concern is for dogs and puppies that will be volunteering at
events with out of state dogs or rescue dogs attending. Show dogs and
rescue dogs move from state to state and may be carrying the virus. Also
risky would be visiting pet stores that have dog rescue groups holding
adoptions meets. We have purchased enough vaccine for the few dogs that
must attend dog gatherings. The vaccination protocol is two injections
2-4 weeks apart. It is another 10 days before protection can be assumed.
We may have to limit the number of dogs volunteering at dog events.
Non-dog events are not a risk. Please keep _________ in
the loop about events you will be attending. | 
