Canine influenza virus vaccine - what is it and does your dog need it?

  Photo by Elucidate

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Articles about CIV vaccine

• Vaccine against canine flu granted conditional license by USDA

• How much of a threat is CIV?
  

General vaccination articles

• PurinaCare vaccination information

• Colorado State University's vaccination protocol
• Dr. Jean Dodds - minimalist viewpoint on vaccinations
• Articles about vaccination

For information about canine influenza virus (CIV), please read: Flu hits dogs, too - Canine influenza virus is a concern in Colorado

How does a vaccine work?
A vaccine contains either a weakened or dead form of the disease. Once it is injected (or inhaled) into the body, the body’s immune system identifies the foreign material, or antigen. The immune system forms proteins, called antibodies, which circulate in the blood. These antibodies are designed to recognize the proteins on the surface of the antigens. Antibodies fight infection by killing antigens. The body produces large amounts of antibodies so that if they encounter the antigens with the same proteins on the surface, they will be able to quickly reproduce enough antibodies to kill the antigens before an infection occurs. A vaccine contains a small amount of antigen, enough to stimulate antibody production, but not enough to cause illness. If they body is exposed to the disease for which it was vaccinated, antibodies are already circulating in the blood and can immediately attack the antigens.

A vaccine for CIV from Intervet was approved by the USDA in June of this year.  It is recommended for healthy dogs aged six weeks and older. Dogs should receive two injections, given two to four weeks apart. According to the manufacturer, the vaccine should reduce the severity of coughing, reduce viral shedding (reducing infectiousness of respiratory secretions), and protect against formation and severity of lung lesions. In other words, the vaccine won’t guarantee that your dog won’t get sick, but it can significantly lessen the severity of the illness if your dog does become infected. The vaccine should be given once annually after the initial administration.

Who should be vaccinated?
Common sense dictates that if your dog doesn’t interact frequently with other dogs, you don’t need to worry about vaccinating your dog against CIV. If your dog attends day care, is boarded often, visits the groomer frequently, or you travel with your dog, discuss vaccination with your veterinarian. Areas of Colorado have had outbreaks of CIV, including Denver.

Remember - if you plan to board your dog over the Christmas holidays, consider getting the vaccine soon. The second booster is given two to four weeks after the initial injection.

Check for reports of outbreaks in your area:
Health Watch
Click on "other animal disease" under "disease" on the left