Comments on: “Up to 8% of clinically ill dogs may die from complications of canine influenza, H3N8…”

By: Canine Flu Shots: Are They Necessary? | Truth4Dogs

Canine Flu Shots: Are They Necessary? | Truth4Dogs — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:52:46 +0000

[...] a Vet about H3N8 Written by Jan on December 18, 2009 – 9:52 am Want to learn more about the dog flu shot? Read this article by my friend, Dr. Paula Terafaj, of Founder’s Vet in Brea. I think [...]

By: Donna Earle

Donna Earle — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:06:37 +0000

November 17,2009 I took my Lab/mix dog Chyna to the vet for her yearly exam and shot updates. While waiting to be called back to the exam room, I noticed the brochure on the Canine Influzena Shot. I asked if this was safe and was asurred by all the staff that this vaccine was safe. Chyna was given a “clean bill” of health so, I asked again about the Canine Flu shot and was told it was safe so, I allowed the shot to be given to her. We were told to come back for the second round later.
We took Chyna back for the second round of the Canine Flu Shot on December 9,2009. Six days shy of her 9 year birthday, we found her dead on the driveway! She had never had heartworms, etc. She was taking her heartworm meds, and “Zoom” meds for some minor arthritis. No sick symptoms and healthy as ever until we let her have this shot. I called the hotline for this Canine Flu shot but they told me that she probably did not die from this shot but of something other just as her vet doctor told me. But Chyna had been healthy until this last shot! I will never, ever give this shot to any dog that I ever have again! I do not care what they say, I believe in my heart that this shot killed my girl.

By: Safer Pet Vaccination Seminar

Safer Pet Vaccination Seminar — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:25:05 +0000

I wrote about the Dog Flu at my own Truth4Dogs.com blog as mentioned above. This is yet another fear-based campaign to bring in money, regardless of consequences to our dogs.

I’m organizing a Safer Pet Vaccination Seminar in Del Mar, CA (North San Diego County) featuring Drs. Jean Dodds and Ron Schultz and benefiting the Rabies Challenge Fund study of the rabies vaccine. If you’re interested in learning how experts vaccinate (and don’t vaccinate), please come to our benefit seminar. And please tell your friends and vets! http://www.PetSeminar.org

By: Liz Dickens

Liz Dickens — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:41:08 +0000

Thank you for getting the word out.

By: Kathy Allen

Kathy Allen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:36:52 +0000

Well, the pug lived in a home by herself and had not been exposed to other dogs; the puppy I was training I had had for over a month and none of my own dogs got sick. It was just the strangest situation to have a happy, healthy 4 month old puppy have a snotty nose and be dead 36 hours later.

By: Dr. Terifaj

Dr. Terifaj — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:45:17 +0000

Hello Kathy,

If a dog has been ill for less than 4 days, nasal and pharyngeal swab submission for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing can be performed. If the PCR indicates a positive result, the dog is most likely infected. Negative PCR results may be falsely negative if the swabs are not collected during the time of peak virus shedding – the first 4 days of illness. Other diagnostic options applicable to dogs that have died from pneumonia are viral culture and PCR analysis using fresh lung and tracheal tissues. Without diagnostic testing there is no way to determine if the cause of respiratory illness you report was due to CIV.

In general, the vaccine is intended for the protection of dogs at risk for exposure to the CI virus, which include those that either participate in activities with many other dogs or are housed in communal facilities, particularly where the virus is prevalent.

If you foster dogs or raise puppies that could have been exposed in a shelter or other type of kennel environment – it is best to isolate those dogs for 7 – 10 days before introducing them to other dogs.

The majority of infected dogs exhibit the mild form of CI. In the mild form, the most common clinical sign is a cough that persists for 10 to 21 days despite treatment with antibiotics and cough suppressants. Most dogs have a soft, moist cough, whereas others have a dry cough that is similar to that induced by Bordetellbronchiseptica/parainfluenza virus infection. Dogs may have a purulent nasal discharge and a low-grade fever. The nasal discharge is usually caused by secondary bacterial infections for which antibiotics should be prescribed. Deaths occur mainly in dogs with the severe form of disease; the mortality rate is thought to be low at 1-5%.

Since I write for the average dog owner the point I wanted to stress is that the canine influenza vaccine is a “lifestyle” vaccine, and is not recommended for household pets with no to minimal risk of exposure.

As always, I encourage all dog owners to make informed decisions before vaccinating.

Thanks for your input.

By: Linde Howe-Beck

Linde Howe-Beck — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:43:25 +0000

As usual, your clarification re canine H1N1 was straight from the cuff and much appreciated. Your comments about mushrooms are eye-opening – I thought mushrooms made dogs sick (I had a dog who must have been allergic to them and thought all dogs were). My best friend will be so happy to partake from now on.

Linde

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:10:53 +0000

Thank you for the advocacy you do AND for keeping us informed…you will never know the extent of how much I appreciate your honesty and forthright information. You are one in a million. I have never met a vet who even comes close to “getting it” like you do. If only there was someone like you in Phoenix.

By: Kathy Allen

Kathy Allen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:00:03 +0000

Hmmm…..I’m not sure what to think now. I’m no advocate of vaccines….my own dogs now only get the required rabies vaccine each year…and I take the claims from the drug company with a grain of salt, as well. However, we had something strange happen around my area this summer. I was a “puppy raiser” in that I train a puppy in the basics before it goes on to the service dog level. She was about 4 months old and came down with a snotty nose one day, rather lethargic and didn’t want to eat. I immediately took her to the master trainer/owner so that she could get vet care. I figured it was some sort of cold or sinus thing. This was on Saturday afternoon….she was dead by Monday morning before she ever got a chance to see the vet. My neighbor had a 4 year old pug who developed basically the same symptoms, was seen by the vet and given antibiotics, anti-nausea meds and antihistamines and was dead the next morning. We were told our dogs likely succumbed to dog influenza. The confusing part to me is if dog influenza is not as lethal as claimed, then why did these two dogs die and so QUICKLY? A friend later emailed me that her 7 year old boxer had died from the same thing. Any insights?

By: Marilyn Wilson

Marilyn Wilson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:52:15 +0000

Kudos Doc!
I too have written a blog on this very subject. Unfortunately, Dog parents are getting some bad advice. Just the other night – on the local news – a vet was advising that dogs receive the “new” dog flu vaccine. Free advertising for a rather dubious product.
Semper Fido,
Marilyn Wilson
blog.caninekingdom.com