Vaccine now available for potentially deadly canine influenza virus

A vaccine is now available to aid in treating canine influenza virus infection.

Canine influenza is an increasingly common disease which has the potential to be life-threatening for infected dogs. Yesterday, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health announced the conditional licensure of a new vaccine against the canine influenza virus.

What is canine influenza?

Canine influenza is a viral disease caused by the influenza virus known as type A, subtype H3N8. Differing from the influenza virus which recently caused the swine flu scare, the canine influenza virus, to the best of our knowledge, affects only dogs and is not a threat to other species, including humans. However, canine influenza is extremely contagious in the dog population.

History of the canine influenza virus

Though canine influenza was first recognized in Greyhounds in 2004, it is likely that the virus existed unrecognized prior to that time.

Since 2004, canine influenza has been diagnosed in 30 states and has a serious impact on animal shelters, dog pounds, kennel facilities and other facilities where dogs congregate. Most dogs within the general population are especially susceptible to canine influenza because it is a novel pathogen (disease-producing "germ") to which many dogs have never been exposed before.

Symptoms of canine influenza

Canine influenza causes respiratory symptoms in infected dogs. Many cases are mild and self-limiting, but in some instances, pneumonia is a complicating factor. Cases of pneumonia resulting from canine influenza can become severe and there have been deaths associated with pneumonia in dogs infected with the canine influenza virus.

Commonly seen symptoms of canine influenza include fever, listlessness, coughing and nasal discharge.

New vaccine against canine influenza virus receives conditional licensure

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, according to a press release issued yesterday, has received conditional licensure from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a new vaccine which provides protection against the canine influenza virus. The new vaccine "has been demonstrated to reduce the incidence and severity of lung lesions, as well as the duration of coughing and viral shedding."

Intended to be used "as an aid in the control of disease associated with canine influenza virus infection", the vaccine was developed by Intervet/Schering-Plough in response to a call from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for the development of a vaccine against canine influenza virus in order to reduce the financial impact of the disease, particularly on shelters and pounds, and to improve the health and welfare of animals exposed to the disease.

The new vaccine was granted a conditional licensure in order to make it available more quickly. However, the conditional status requires that data be submitted to the FDA throughout the conditional licensure period and evaluated with the intention of eventually granting a regular product license, assuming that the vaccine proves to be safe and effective as anticipated.

The new vaccine, according to the press release, is safe for puppies 6 weeks of age or older and is administered in two doses recommended to be administered 2-4 weeks apart. Annual boosters of the vaccine are encouraged.

Considerations for pet owners regarding the new canine influenza vaccine

Although it is commendable that Intervet/Schering-Plough has perfected this new canine influenza virus vaccine and there is no doubt that a need exists, the vaccine may not be right for all dogs. As with all vaccines, consideration should be given to whether the dog is at risk of encountering the canine influenza virus and a determination as to the risk/benefit of the vaccine must be made. At the current time, the new canine influenza virus vaccine is not considered to be a core vaccine for the general canine population. Pet owners should consult their veterinarian to determine whether their dog might benefit from the new canine influenza vaccine.

For more info: Canine influenza — A contagious flu virus easily passed from dog to dog

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The copyright of the article Vaccine now available for potentially deadly canine influenza virus is owned by Lorie Huston. Permission to republish Vaccine now available for potentially deadly canine influenza virus in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Photo Credit: Morguefile.com/xandert

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