World’s First Vaccine Against Canine Flu is Announced
Published on June 29, 2009 by K9 Magazine News Editor · 3 CommentsThe first vaccine against canine influenza virus (CIV) has been announced following the grant a conditional product license by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), for use by veterinarians in the United States.
“Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection that has a significant impact on dogs housed in shelters, kennels and communal facilities,” said Cynda Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., University of Florida, Clinical Assistant Professor of Shelter Medicine. “The availability of a vaccine can help prevent the medical, financial and emotional costs associated with this new virus.”
Item published in association with Vet Gazette
Canine influenza was first identified in the United States in 2004. Since then, CIV has continued to spread and has now been detected in dogs in 30 states and the District of Columbia, according to Dr. Crawford and Edward J. Dubovi, Ph.D., Professor of Virology, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, two of the nation’s leading experts on Canine H3N8 who have been tracking the disease since 2004.
[private_Premier]Most dogs have no immunity to canine influenza because it is a novel pathogen and, therefore, the infection can spread quickly through animal shelters, adoption groups, pet stores, boarding kennels, veterinary clinics and any location where dogs congregate. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no evidence of transmission of the virus from dogs to people.
According to Terri Wasmoen, Ph.D., an immunologist and senior director of Biological Research for Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, dog owners might not realize their pets are sick enough to need medical care until the dogs begin coughing, which occurs several days or more after the dog contracts CIV. The onset of coughing is a sign that the dog is vulnerable to pneumonia. “Preventing a viral infection that can make dogs susceptible to a complex of canine respiratory pathogens, commonly known as kennel cough syndrome, further strengthens the case for vaccination,” she said.
In 2006, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) called for the development of a vaccine against the spread of the disease, stating “there is urgent need for an effective canine influenza vaccine to improve the health and welfare of animals and reduce the financial impacts of canine influenza.”
Christopher Pappas, Jr., D.V.M., Director, Companion Animal Technical Services, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, said, “We developed the vaccine in response to the growing problem of the disease. We are pleased that our expertise in respiratory disease and vaccines can help prevent costly outbreaks and keep dogs healthier.”
Canine Influenza Vaccine, H3N8 has been demonstrated to reduce the incidence and severity of lung lesions, as well as the duration of coughing and viral shedding. The vaccine, made from inactivated virus, is intended as an aid in the control of disease associated with canine influenza virus infection, a type A, subtype H3N8. It is administered by subcutaneous injection in two doses, two to four weeks apart. It may be given to dogs six weeks of age or older and can be given annually as a component of existing respiratory disease vaccine protocols to ensure more comprehensive protection.
On May 27, 2009, the vaccine was granted a conditional license by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which, through its Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB), evaluates data supporting product purity, product safety under normal conditions of use in field safety trials and demonstration that the product has a reasonable expectation of efficacy. During the conditional license period, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health will continue to submit data obtained in support of the product’s performance, which will be evaluated by government regulators to determine whether a regular product license may be issued.[/private_Premier]
Highly Recommended: This could be the most important link you EVER click as far as your dog’s life is concerned – see why….!
Great – Another BS vaccine that dogs don’t need but us pet owners will be forced to have our dogs endure in order for them to be able socialize with other dogs!
I agree, pet welfare is going from the ridiculous to the absurd. Instead of educating humans on natural living, which will benefit both animals and humans, the usual human response is that of over exertion and with results that lead to nowheresville. Attached with the label that screams, ‘disaster’ pending. It is like China where only one child per family was allowed, preferably a boy, so let’s kill the girl.
More rules and regulations merely encourage black market activities. People will do what they want to do and there is not a Law that can stop that. Nature is as it is, no human can intervene. Endless neutering will lead to dogs becoming extinct. Supervised breeding leads to exploitation by those who are money grabbers. People scream puppy farms, but who designed these puppy farms? The Economy and modern chemical interventions. Rural Farming is being destroyed and puppies became the commodity of the day. Supply and demand is what drives the economy.
A healthy immune system has its own defense mechanism. None of my animals are inoculated and I have raised 6 generations without problems. Imagine, without the Red Zone cases, Ceasar Milan will be without a job. Life is as is and I do not choose to live in a germ free society. Cruelty and neglect is addressed by education, like AIDS. People were taught to use a condom, they were not told to refrain from having sex.
All these unnatural rules and regulations can only end up in disaster. Who pays the price? The dogs of course.
[...] World’s First Vaccine Against Canine Flu is Announced [...]