Here is a link to an article on Animal Planet Discovery web site - as if we didn't already have enough to worry about!!
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Thanks caradocs - (I did forget the 3 in place of the 1 in H1N8!)
Anyway, please keep your dogs home from the dog park and boarding kennel until this is past(if possible) and you may wanna call your groomer before you go in, to see if they know of any dogs that were sick before or after they visted them. A good groomer and boarding kennel won't hide this information just because they are afraid of losing business. Illness is spread only when your dog comes in contact with an infected dog, or the saliva or airborn germs - exactly like the way humans get sick, so take precautions!
Thanks for sharing. I didn't know about this.
A friend of mine in CO said that her dogs are so isolated that she isn't even going to worry. Me neither, I guess. I have to take my kitty in for shots at Petco today - (cheaper and minus the office charge)I will ask that Vet what he knows.
Like you razzamatazz my dogs are isolated so I am not too worried about it. But those that meet up with other dogs is another story like you said. I wonder how safe the vaccine is versus the 1% that actually die from this flu. Seems to me again it is another type of Russian Roulette. Be well everyone and every dog. Here is the CDC link about H3N8 flu for your convenience:
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This was very interesting to hear about. My dog is in his fenced yard unless we are walking together so I guess he's OK. I have never boarded one of my dogs. Where I go he goes unless he stays at my son's house. Great info though. Thanks
I have to board mine in Dec. so let's hope it has gone through by then.
Actually this originated in horses so it is EQUINE FLU and not SWINE FLU.
I believe canine influenza has been seen primarily in shelters. As for the vaccine, it's my understanding it has only received conditional licensure so there's not much data available as to the safety and effectiveness. I also understand the vaccine does not prevent infection but should make the symptoms milder. Since my dogs are rarely exposed to other dogs, I think I'll wait on the vaccine until it's fully approved...
I checked with my vet on this and was told that there are already some strains of a flu vaccine in the routine shots given each year. He did not recommend that I pursue this vaccine for my dog. He indicated that the level of immunity contained in this vaccine is questionable and most dogs do not become clinically ill when exposed to the flu.
