Influenza vaccination available for dogs

The growing concern across the nation with influenza has caused many people to either get a flu shot or at least begin thinking about the need for one.

And for pet owners, there is now a growing concern among some local veterinarians that canine influenza, H3N8, could also become a health problem for dogs.

Nancy Richard of Metairie gets her own flu shot every year. So when she heard about the dog influenza and the vaccine, she immediately scheduled an appointment for Penny, her 5-year-old basset/beagle mix.

"Penny is a member of my family and I want to protect her from getting sick," Richard said. "And I felt that if I get a flu shot, Penny should get one too."

Twelve local veterinarians recently attended a meeting conducted by Dr. Randy Martin, a veterinarian and manager of technical services for Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. Martin shared information with the veterinarians about the canine influenza as well as how to prevent it.

Intevet/Schering-Plough, which is located in Roseland, New Jersey, now has a canine influenza vaccine. It is being made available to local veterinarians.

Pfizer Animal Health in New York City also has the vaccine.

"Dog owners should be educated and aware of the canine influenza virus and what they can do to protect their dogs," said Dr. Patrick McSweeney of the Animal Medical and Surgical Hospital in Metairie. McSweeney attended the meeting. "This is new to us. And if I have ever seen canine influenza, I didn't know it."

Terri Wasmoen, an immunologist and senior director of Biolgical Research and spokesperson for Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, said dog owners might not recognize their pets are sick enough to need medical care until the dogs begin coughing, which occurs several days or more after the dog contracts canine influenza virus.

"The onset of coughing is a sign that the dog is vulnerable to pneumonia," Wasmoen said. "Preventing a viral infection that can make dogs susceptible to a complex of canine respiratory pathogens, commonly known as kennel cough, further strengthens the case for vaccination."...