Apparently Canine Influenza (H3N8 virus) is a big thing down here. I have never heard of it, but while doing my multiple interviews saw signs and such advertising the vaccine for it. According to a vet tech I spoke with, they had a bad outbreak awhile back that completely shut down the humane society and they were seeing a LOT of ill dogs.
Anybody know anything about it? Would it be worth vaccinating for? Is it something that needs to be boostered annually, or would it trigger enough of an immune response that if the dog were exposed to the virus at a later point, it would still have memory cells to begin fighting the infection?
I was reading here and it looks like it doesn't 100% prevent the flu, but lessons the symptoms.
I don't vaccinate for bordetella on the theory that if the dogs were to contract it, they would be healthy enough to put up a good fight themselves/with the help of some mild medication. Is this Canine Influenza in a similar category, or is it more serious?
I'm not really worried about Abrams so much (he's young and healthy), but with Cynder and her underlying megaesophagus, it concerns me. She's already at risk for pneumonia due to possible aspiration, really don't need to add to the risk.
Thoughts?
Anybody know anything about it? Would it be worth vaccinating for? Is it something that needs to be boostered annually, or would it trigger enough of an immune response that if the dog were exposed to the virus at a later point, it would still have memory cells to begin fighting the infection?
I was reading here and it looks like it doesn't 100% prevent the flu, but lessons the symptoms.
I don't vaccinate for bordetella on the theory that if the dogs were to contract it, they would be healthy enough to put up a good fight themselves/with the help of some mild medication. Is this Canine Influenza in a similar category, or is it more serious?
I'm not really worried about Abrams so much (he's young and healthy), but with Cynder and her underlying megaesophagus, it concerns me. She's already at risk for pneumonia due to possible aspiration, really don't need to add to the risk.
Thoughts?