Oct 15, 2009 6:09 am US/Eastern
Forget H1N1, Dog Owners Wary Of H3N8
Canine Flu Is Not As Common As Human Counterpart But Can Be Extremely Dangerous To Man's Best Friend
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
There is another flu to look out for, one that is spreading among dogs only. A new vaccine is available but should your dog get it? It depends on your dog's lifestyle.
Glen Herder has an acute case of puppy love. He just bought 3-week-old "Captain Ron." He's a proud new owner worried about canine flu.
"How common it is? How severe it can get? Where he would pick it up mostly and what basic things to avoid," Herder said, referring to common questions about the dog flu.
His anxiety, fueled by all the talk of flu lately, has him worried that his dog could suffer from a canine version of influenza called H3N8.
"Your dog, to get it, has to rub noses with a dog that happens to be contagious at that time. Unless your dog is encountering a lot of other dogs all day long every day the chances of him getting it or spreading it to other dogs are pretty small," said Dr. David Bessler of NYC Veterinary Specialists.
The illness first surfaced in 2004, among greyhounds at a Florida track. They had symptoms that included coughing, high fever and runny noses.
In the vast majority of cases the symptoms are mild and the dogs get over it in a week or two, but in some cases they develop pneumonia and that can be fatal.
The vaccine involves two shots taken three weeks apart. It helps dogs recover faster but is not a cure and Dr. Bessler said it is not necessary for most dogs.
The vaccine could reduce the already low 5 percent mortality rate. Dogs boarded in large groups, or those spending long hours every day in doggie daycare, could benefit from it. But veterinary hospital worker Amy Bergman said she will not vaccinate her own dog, "Cedella."
"I don't get a flu shot myself so I wouldn't give one to my dog either," said Bergman, adding the best recommendations she can make to other pet owners is to emphasize cleanliness, hygiene just common sense.
Veterinarians said limiting dogs' exposure to other unfamiliar dogs is always a good idea. And not just to keep canine flu at bay but other diseases as well.
The canine flu is in no way related to swine flu.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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