As loving dog owners and pet care enthusiasts, we’re the guardians of our best friends’ health. And it’s up to us to arm ourselves against the silent battles they sometimes face. I am deeply concerned about the canine influenza, an adversary we can defeat together through knowledge and vigilance.
My journey to understanding canine influenza began with a revelation. When I first heard about this ailment’s impact, red flags exploded in my mind. A friend mentioned her dog was vaccinated years ago—illuminating that this wasn’t a mere footnote in veterinary medicine but a chapter worth examining closer.
And so, I stood at a crossroads of narratives: one path veiled amid minimization, another echoing the gravity of a human health crisis. You see, each person I spoke to at my veterinarian clinic strummed a different chord—some sought to hush the concern, while others amplified it to the magnitude of the human struggle against COVID-19. What is the truth? How do we gain knowledge to protect our beloved companions through this? This quest for understanding led me to comb through a maze of information, including Dr. Google and Veterinary websites, piecing together what I could glean and understand.
A sneeze from a fellow canine doggy friend in the park could be the harbinger of canine influenza. This illness mirrors the human flu in its fearful pervasiveness. But just how serious is it?
Understanding Canine Influenza Severity
The seriousness of canine influenza cannot be overshadowed by ignorance. It’s not merely a sniffle or a transient bout of fatigue – it can gravely affect our beloved dogs, especially those with underlying health conditions or, in more human terms, preexisting conditions. We need to educate ourselves on the severity of canine flu.
Recognize the foe in its symptoms when you know what lurks beneath your dog’s spirited bark and boundless bounce. Coughing, sneezing, fever, and lethargy are the tell-tale signs. Are they not similar to the way we, as humans, unravel under the grip of the flu? These warriors in fur coats may battle silently, but their symptoms speak volumes.
What are the symptoms of canine influenza?
“The signs of canine influenza are similar to those of canine infectious respiratory disease complex (“kennel cough” ):
- Persistent cough
- Thick nasal discharge
- Fever (often 104-105oF)
- Lethargy
- Runny eyes
- Reduced appetite
Most dogs infected with the canine influenza virus have mild illness and recover within two to three weeks, while other dogs might seem perfectly healthy. Still others develop complications such as bacterial pneumonia, resulting in more severe illness. The overall risk of death is considered low but possible—about 1-5% of infected dogs.”
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
How Dogs Catch Canine Influenza
There’s no need for an intricate detective plot; the trail of transmission is, unfortunately, straightforward. Our canine companions catch the flu from each other through sneezes and shared toys.
Be the watchful eye when your pet interacts with others, steward clean shared spaces, and be the guardian who washes toys with love and soap in equal measure.
Vaccination
In our arsenal against this unwelcome intruder, there exists a shield, robust and ready – the vaccine. It’s a simple soldier in the form of a vaccine, yet it’s not lauded with trumpets and fanfare as I would have expected. Why is this vaccine not advertised as a solid preventative for canine influenza?
The answer lies not in the effectiveness of this vaccine – for it does its job well – but in awareness and access. It’s time to propel the vaccine into the limelight. My veterinarian and staff only shared the answers about the vaccine with caution. Why? I had to request the vaccination for both Teddy and Bear.
In this narrative, I shared my findings not as a mandate or decree—but for fellow seekers. If your veterinarian cautions against the vaccine, then listen. Yet, I invite you to learn, weigh the wisdom, and chart the best course for the well-being of your beloved dog or dogs. I chose to have both Teddy and Bear vaccinated. The vaccination consisted of two shots given over two weeks. Just as I decided to receive the COVID-19 vaccinations and all boosters for myself, I chose to have both Teddy and Bear vaccinated for canine influenza.
References:
Dog flu: Vet’s guide to symptoms, causes and treatment | PetsRadar. https://www.petsradar.com/advice/dog-flu-symptoms-treatment-prevention
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/canine-influenza#:~:text=Most%20dogs%20infected%20with%20the,resulting%20in%20more%20severe%20illness.
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